The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, closes this Friday the Government's appearances before the Senate to break down the performance of the Executive in the fires of this summer. After those responsible for defense, interior and ecological transition, agriculture has indicated – as a few days ago – that it is still early to know the complete impact of fires on the economies of the affected areas, because they remain active in Galicia, Castilla y León and Extremadura.
“If we have been summoned so soon,” he said “it is a proof of confidence in the government.” Planas recalled that in recent years the Executive has approved a total of 4,975 million euros in aid to the primary sector for different crises, due to extraordinary needs, for the Dana of 2019, the Covid, the war in Ukraine, the drought, the volcano of La Palma and the Dana de Valencia. It is the “greatest figure in the history of Spain,” he said.
The balance of the crisis caused by fires in this August is not yet made, but the help of the European Union will be claimed. “I have addressed the commissioner (of Agriculture, Christophe Hansen) so that at the right time, let's see the necessary damages and funds,” he said, that they will be added, he indicated, to which the government approves.
Regarding the political action and the proposals made by the PP of “Comprehensive response with 50 measures for the affected areas”, Planas has indicated his surprise. “Some are already in force,” he said. “The increase in the advancement of aid (of the PAC, the common agrarian policy) has been requested to farmers and ranchers of up to 80%.” “It is not bad faith, it is pure ignorance, on July 16 the increase in Brussels was approved. Ask what has been approved is surprising. Each one goes to what is going,” Planas deepened in the Senate.
Specifically, the European Commission gave green light to more than 648,000 farmers and ranchers can receive up to 3,386 million euros in early payments of European aid as of October 16. As indicated, at the time, the Ministry may reach 70% in direct and up to 85% in rural development measures.
Concern for the vineyard and extensive livestock
Regarding the impact of fires, Planas has indicated that “as of August 3” there were “16 infernal days.” At the moment, they total 362,000 hectares burned, taking into account that there are still active spotlights in Galicia, Castilla y León and Extremadura. “It will be a record year,” he said. “It is precipitated to take stock,” he repeated. The “burned surface is, above all, forestry, wooded, mount, bass, scrubland and pastures” and in “agrarian production we are talking about 35,000 hectares, 9% of the affected surface.”
In total, 440 municipalities, where half has agricultural farms. “There are cases where the general tonic is a lower affectation in heads and more on facilities and pastures.” However, he has also mentioned a “poultry exploitation” in Ourense “with 19,000 affected birds.”
Planas has stressed the importance of extensive livestock by “the pastures razed by fire.” “We are aware that until they regenerate with the rains there is a problem we intend to respond.” “Extensive livestock is not the universal solution to fires, but we are willing to address it,” said Planas.
The person in charge of Agriculture has also broken down that, in the affected areas, the activities linked to the cereals have not been very affected because the harvest was already practically finished. The same does not happen with about 5,000 hectares of fruit trees and many others of Viñedo, especially in Castilla y León and in the denominations of Monterrei and Valdeorras origin, in Ourende. “You have to perit” and know “how it has affected the process of maturation of the grapes,” said Planas. In addition, he has mentioned concern for cherry production in Extremadura.
