Laura Ramírez I Huelva, (EFE).- The controversy over the parliamentary initiative of the PP and Vox to regularize irrigation in the North Crown of Doñana is still in force when the campaign for the 28M elections began. And it will be fueled by the demonstration called this Sunday in Seville by the Salvemos Doñana platform.
This bill that is being processed by the Parliament of Andalusia has given rise to a controversy to which the institutions -Government, Junta de Andalucía, affected municipalities (Almonte, Moguer, Bonares, Rociana del Condado and Lucena del Puerto) and the European Union- do not escape. -, the political parties in full campaign, the farmers and a good part of society.
These are the ten keys to a problem that affects only 4 percent of the production of red fruits in the province of Huelva. The largest national producer, but it involves an enclave as unique and protected as the Doñana Park in a time of severe drought.
The 90’s
1.- The germ of the problem must be found in the unplanned expansion of irrigation. Which occurred in the area at the end of the 90s and the beginning of the 21st century.
The Land Management Plan for the area of Doñana (POTAD). A document approved in 2004 and which included the soils according to their different uses. He recommended the drafting of a management plan for these irrigation lands to control the water resource and protect the space.
2.- Ten years later, the Andalusian Government approves the Irrigation Management Plan for the North Forest Crown of Doñana for an area of 64,457 hectares. Of those that were initially considered irrigable, some 9,340 met the requirements for irrigated agricultural land in 2004 (date of entry into force of the POTAD, and have maintained their activity in the following years.
3.- At that time, some farmers already began to show their rejection of leaving their irrigated land outside of that arrangement. And in 2012 they created the Platform in Defense of County Irrigation. In 2016 the PP presented a first non-legal proposal in the regional Parliament to review the plan.
These farmers, for the most part, have continued to irrigate during this time, facing sanctions and the closure of wells from those who collected water illegally.
The arrival of the PP to the Board in 2018
4.- The arrival of the PP to the Government of the Junta de Andalucía in 2018 was an incentive for the objectives of these farmers to see their lands recognized. In 2022, the PP, Cs and Vox presented a bill, although it declined with the call for regional elections.
5.- This 2023, already with an absolute majority, the PP, together with Vox, has once again presented the “improved” initiative with proposals made by other parties that are currently undergoing parliamentary processing, and that have given rise to a whole series of crosses of statements between political representatives as well as the rejection of ecologists.
6.- Among the defenders of the measure is the Junta de Andalucía, the Platform in Defense of County Irrigation and the agrarian organizations. They argue that the initiative comes to solve “a historical problem.” That only talks about land use planning and not water. And that preserves Doñana, since those lands subject to legalization can only be irrigated with surface water when it is available.
Demonstration against irrigation in Doñana
7.- On the opposite side are the central government. That he has repeatedly demanded that the Junta de Andalucía withdraw the initiative. Conservation organizations, very critical of a measure that they understand would lead to the disappearance of the current Doñana. And the Almonte City Council and a good part of its farmers who consider it “harmful” to the interests of the sector.
8.- The European Commission has warned of possible sanctions if the initiative is approved. By contravening the ruling of the European Court of Justice (CJEU). That condemned Spain to adopt measures against the overexploitation of natural space water resources.
9.- The bill continues its parliamentary process, although it is paralyzed until after the May 28 elections.
10.- The last chapter, for now, around this proposition will take place tomorrow, Sunday, in Seville, where a demonstration will take place called by the Salvemos Doñana Platform, sponsored by more than 40 groups, to demand its withdrawal, the implementation of the Plan of 2014 and other development alternatives for the natural space. EFE