In Barcelona, Catalan farmers rallied to express their concerns over climate-induced drought and stringent EU farming policies. Artichoke farmer Xavier Oliva highlighted the dire situation, stating, "If it doesn't rain you can't plant anything." The farmers are demanding more support from the regional government as water scarcity threatens their livelihoods.
Reservoir levels in the Ter-Llobregat basin, vital for Barcelona and its environs, have plummeted to below 16% capacity, prompting the Catalan government to declare a state of emergency for approximately six million people. This has led to severe water use restrictions, affecting both livestock and crop farming. Oliva, a member of the El Prat cooperative, anticipates a significant reduction in crop planting.
The emergency measures include daily water consumption caps and reduced water pressure in high-usage areas. Additionally, river flows are being heavily regulated. With the drought beginning in autumn 2020 and showing no signs of abating, Catalonia faces its worst drought in over a century. The regional government's drought plan includes modernizing irrigation, repairing pipelines, and investing in water production capacity, with a focus on desalination and water recycling.
"We wanted to be cautious and then begin to anticipate, plan and be prepared for the worst-case scenarios, like the one we have now," explained Meritxell Serret, Catalonia's minister for foreign action.
Source: bbc.com