Oviedo, Feb 9 (EFEAGRI).- The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, has assured that he understands and shares the “concern and anguish” of ranchers when they are the object of wolf attacks.
The minister has recognized that this issue “is not easy” and a balance must be maintained between the preservation of the species and the protection of professionals.
At a press conference in Oviedo, he explained that he understands how in the communities where there is a greater presence of these specimens this issue is perceived by farmers as an “element of aggression or risk” of their activity.
“The will of all is to preserve that balance and defend the ranchers,” he pointed out after arguing that they must have “sufficient protection elements” and have compensation in cases of attacks.
Asked about the recovery of population controls that some communities demand, he stressed that Asturias has a control plan and is a “good example of a good management model in this regard.”
«We have data, but it is necessary to have more; The improvement of statistical knowledge is essential in order to make the arguments of one another solid and also to be able to take measures in this regard, “he added in this regard.
Planas has underlined the “great effort” of the communities in the preparation of censuses to “have better control and avoid these attacks.”
Regarding the extractions, he has said that he does not know “neither how much nor in what number” they may be necessary, but he has been convinced that “with the law in hand, if they are necessary they will be done.”
For his part, the Minister of Rural Affairs, Alejandro Calvo, has commented that the Principality has a management and control plan in force, which needs its “legal vulnerability” to remain with the validation by the Ministry for Transition Ecological of the new updated censuses that the community has prepared.
“We hope that the work done will be recognized as soon as possible,” Calvo stressed, after reiterating that work will be done with “great prudence and security” in this matter.
The Coag union has regretted, in a statement, that the minister has not held any meeting with the agrarian organizations during his visit to Asturias, which he considers a “lack of consideration and respect.”
Along the same lines, Asaja has pronounced that he sees “inadmissible” that Planas does not have time to talk to agricultural professionals about the problems that the Asturian countryside has.
