The Commission for the Sustainability of Hydro-Agriculture of the Algarve (CSHA) has written to the Prime Minister about reducing water use for agriculture in the Algarve, arguing that the measures “jeopardize the survival” of several territories and crops.
In a letter sent on Wednesday and to which Lusa’s agency had access, the commission questioned the validity of proposals to reduce water supplies in the sector and how they “can be considered necessary, appropriate and proportionate or sufficient to prevent water shortages in the region.” Algarve.”
The position by CSHA, which represents 120 producers, farmers and irrigation associations in the region, comes after Environment Minister Duarte Cordeiro announced this month that the Algarve would see water cuts of 25% for agriculture and 15% for agriculture. urban sector, including tourism.
The minister made this statement following a meeting of the commission that monitors the consequences of the drought.
In the letter, the association also asks “how the contribution of each sector to the required reduction in consumption was determined or how priority uses were respected,” as this follows from the Water Law.
In the same sense, he questions why “sacrifices that are becoming an existential threat” for many producers are being imposed on the agricultural sector, given that the cuts applied to other sectors “can be described as a mere inconvenience.”
At the same time, they argue that a 25% cut for the agricultural sector “translates into a much larger cut, and it is inexplicable” that in the case of public supply the proposed cut is only 15%.
The association recalls that it sought to cooperate “in identifying fair and appropriate measures” and is submitting a number of proposals to the government that could satisfy the interests of farmers.
Therefore, they propose to reduce the declared values for irrigated agriculture, taking into account the location of crops and the possibility of using water by installing or reactivating wells.
The proposals also include a clear definition of the duration of applicable benefits, a ban and suspension of the installation of new water-consuming investments “in all sectors of the economy.”
The list of “urgent measures” presented by CSHA to combat drought in the Algarve also includes the resumption of wells in municipalities where groundwater resources are available, as well as the study and regulation of environmental flows.
The association also proposes investments in mobile desalination plants, connections between Pomaran and the Odelite dam, as well as the Santa Clara (Alentejo) and Odeluca dams, as well as consideration of the suspension of the legalization of catchment openings.
The Commission suggests to the Prime Minister that the announced measures, which must be approved by the Council of Ministers, “must be technically and legally sound, protect the rights and interests of all and be capable of guaranteeing the supply of water to all water users.” region of the Algarve and that cuts in the agricultural sector do not affect the viability of crops.”
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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