Parliamentary blow to the Government's initiative to expand the special protection areas for birds (SPA) in the area of the Llobregat river delta and the Parc Agrari. The Parliament of Catalonia approved this Thursday a motion presented by the PSC that urges the Catalan executive to “not approve a new delimitation of the SPA if a working group on the issue has not been established and a majority consensus has been reached.” The text had the favorable votes of the PSC, Junts, Cs, Vox and the PP; while ERC, the commons and the CUP defended the extension of the ZEPA.
The expansion of the SPA, undertaken in response to the letter of formal notice from the European Commission that warned, under threat of sanction, that the Llobregat delta is not sufficiently protected, generates rejection among the socialist town councils of Viladecans, Gavà and Sant Boi . Also among farmers, who fear that greater protection of birds could affect their farms. The El Prat City Council is in favor of the expansion and more than a dozen environmental entities demanded that it become effective months ago.
In addition, the motion calls on the Government to establish another working group to improve hydraulic infrastructure and a third to review the regulations of the Parc Agrari.
The Government is also being pushed to carry out a special plan to protect the current SPAs and to execute, among others, the expected investments necessary to fight against floods that damage crops. On the other hand, it is encouraged to modify the regulations of the Baix Llobregat Agrari Park to promote “modern agriculture implementing the latest technology.”
