It clarifies that affected farmers and ranchers will receive "exactly the same" aid from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
MADRID, 21 (EUROPA PRESS)
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, Luis Planas, has called for "unity, loyalty, and collaboration" among government agencies following the wildfires ravaging Spain, while reiterating that all "available means" will be used to help farmers and ranchers affected by this "dramatic" situation.
"Unity, loyalty, and collaboration between administrations are needed in the face of this situation, and just as we have deployed, without any limits, all available state resources to support the autonomous communities and even mobilized the European civil protection mechanism, we will collaborate to achieve the recovery and reactivation of the areas affected by the fires," Planas stated in statements on RTVE's 'La Hora de La 1'.
When asked whether a specific line of aid for farmers and ranchers will be included, the minister did not specify, although he noted that the sector has agricultural insurance, which covers fire risks in both agricultural and livestock activities.
Furthermore, Planas reassured and clarified that farmers and ranchers affected by these fires, which are "force majeure," will receive "exactly the same" aid from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Regarding the declaration of a civil protection emergency zone, which the Government will announce next Tuesday at the Council of Ministers, the Minister of Agriculture emphasized that the affected territory will be determined. "From there, the various Ministries will work to determine what response we can provide, once we know, have a snapshot and the coverage that has been provided and what can be provided," he emphasized.
"The government's will is very clear, and it's the same will we're using to support reconstruction in both Valencia and La Palma. This is a tremendously dramatic situation, and I want to express my solidarity and support to the families of the victims, to all those affected, particularly farmers and ranchers, and, of course, to all those currently fighting the fire," he reiterated.
CONCERN FOR GALICIAN VINEYARDS AND EXTENSIVE LIVESTOCK FARMING Regarding the damaged agricultural land, Planas has advanced that it is "early" to quantify it, but he has recalled that in July 18,000 hectares of this type were burned after 975 reports were notified to Agroseguro of extensive herbaceous crops, cereals and legumes that had not finished their harvest.
"We are concerned, first of all, about the vineyards, because the grape harvest is just starting in areas of Orense, for example, such as Monterrey or Valdeorras, as there is a danger and we need to see what damage has occurred and how it will affect the grape harvest. This is also true in areas of Castile and León, as well as with other permanent crops, such as olive groves, almond trees, and citrus fruits," he explained.
However, Planas has expressed his concern about extensive livestock farming, not so much for the number of heads that may be affected, but rather for their diet, as they have to change their feeding grounds and many of the pastures "unfortunately have been burned," so they have to resort to fodder, which "logically means a higher cost for farmers."
The Minister of Agriculture, who wished to emphasize the sector's "solidarity" as it has donated fodder to affected livestock farmers, emphasized that agricultural and livestock management is the "responsibility" of each autonomous community. "We are going to collaborate in this regard, but it is the responsibility, the responsibility of the autonomous community, and we have to assess how the issue is presented in each place and in each situation. But the willingness to support is evidently there, and we will do whatever is necessary," he emphasized.
"We are in a changing situation, and the Ministry is monitoring it hourly to see what measures to take in this regard with the autonomous communities. However, once the fires are over, the affected agricultural area is very limited, even if there are indeed cases, especially in livestock farming," he noted.
