The Almargem Association «regrets the irresponsibility» of the Algarve Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Fisheries (DRAPAlg) by «allowing the destruction of the Algarve's traditional Mediterranean landscape», already «preparing a complaint to UNESCO».
At issue is the "growing replacement of traditional rainfed orchard areas by intensive cultivation, namely avocado".
This means that Almargem is already “preparing a complaint to UNESCO, in the context of the Algarve's integration in the area classified as cultural heritage of humanity of the Mediterranean Diet”.
Fernando Severino, regional director of Agriculture, said, in an interview with the newspaper “Barlavento”, that «we have to work in the traditional orchard and there is space for everything». "Carob trees are uprooted to make way for other crops, whether avocado or citrus," he added.
For example, in an area east of Barão de S. João, in Lagos, three years ago, Almargem warns, “cork oaks and other native species were razed to the ground to install the largest avocado plantation in Europe”, by the company “CITAGO ”, with 76 hectares.
This is a circumstance that, "if true, will certainly be for a very short time, given the fever caused by this new green gold worldwide, which has even led to the entry into the business of Latin American drug cartels" , says Almargem.
According to the environmental association, some of the local residents complained to the GNR's Nature and Environment Protection Service (SEPNA) “which, competently, as usual, acted in compliance and enabled the progress of a relative process. to the felling of cork oaks but which, allegedly, resulted in only a small fine for the company'.
According to Almargem, "Citago" is now committed to expanding the avocado planting to another 50 hectares, also occupied by native species, reaching the vicinity of the Espiche golf course, whose central motto claims to be "inserted in the unspoilt nature of the local"".
«The “intact” nature certainly does not include herbicides such as the dangerous glyphosate (in this case the Montana Sapec brand) and various insecticides used by Citago that, in recent years, have caused a significant drop in insects and birds throughout the region, namely butterflies and swallows”, denounces the association.
In addition, there is “an increase in the consumption of water stored in underground aquifers”, he concludes.
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