Spain’s major parties, taking stock after the most fragmented national election result in the country’s history, have embarked on potentially long and arduous talks to form a coalition government.

ABP Food Group has signed a deal with Sysco, the first deal to supply beef to the US since the 15-year BSE-focused ban on European beef was lifted a year ago.

Voters in the industrious and economically important north-eastern region of Catalonia began casting their ballots as polling stations opened on Sunday in elections that could determine the future shape of Spain.