Cádiz, (EFE) , are large and can be “the finishing touch” of the sector.
This was explained by Miguel Pérez, from the organization COAG Cádiz, who, together with other agricultural entities in the area, held meetings today with the mayor of Sanlúcar, Víctor Mora, and with the delegate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development of the Junta de Andalucía in Cádiz, David Gil, to assess the situation.
Farmers have exposed to those responsible for the administrations that it is still “premature” to have an assessment of the damage from the hailstorm. The ice, in some cases, has formed a layer 40 centimeters thick and continues in some fields.
The delegate of the Board has indicated that in the next few days the technicians will have “a perfect X-ray” of the damage to see what type of aid can be articulated or if the situation could lead to the declaration of a catastrophic zone.
Drama after two hours of hailstorm in Sanlúcar
“Until we have that x-ray it would be absurd to create expectations,” he added after indicating that “at first glance the disaster has been monumental” and has occurred at “a very difficult time for the sector.”
In statements to the media, Juan Manuel Rodríguez, president of Frusana, has urged that “among all” solutions be sought “to the drama” faced by “many farmers” in the town, after the effects of the “two-hour” fall of hail.”
The hail has caused damage to “between 40 and 50 greenhouses” and to crops of “some 1,000 or 1,200 hectares”, in a very diverse production area with crops of melon, potato, carrot or leek.
Miguel Pérez has stressed that this hail could be “the last straw” for a sector that is experiencing a “very complicated” situation and that, if it does not receive aid, it can lead many farmers to abandon the activity.
Quick help line
And he has highlighted the importance of agriculture for job creation in the town.
On his side, the mayor of the town recalled that the hailstorm surprised the municipality shortly before three in the afternoon yesterday, barely an hour after a rain alert was received but for the next day, for today.
In the city, 45 liters per square meter fell in half an hour, but in the most affected agricultural areas, such as LLanos de Bonanza and La Veta de La Algaida, “there were 90 for more than an hour and in both areas with a spectacular hailstorm.” ».
The mayor has insisted on the need for technicians to assess the damage to study what may be the “fastest” line to help farmers. EFE
