Automatically translated from Basque, translation may contain errors. More information here. Elhuyarren itzultzaile automatikoaren logoa

"They plan to carry out experimental treatment with cuprous oxide in 1,050 hectares"

  • Madrid has not authorised the aerial treatment of pines of Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia with cuprous oxide. However, the Basque Government has ensured that it does not rule out that it can be authorised from now on if it is demonstrated that the treatment is effective and that environmental damage is admissible.

04 March 2019 - 10:04
Europako lege-arauek oxido kuprosoari esleitutako piktograma adierazgarria. (Naturkon)
Zarata mediatikoz beteriko garai nahasiotan, merkatu logiketatik urrun eta irakurleengandik gertu dagoen kazetaritza beharrezkoa dela uste baduzu, ARGIA bultzatzera animatu nahi zaitugu. Geroz eta gehiago gara, jarrai dezagun txikitik eragiten.

In other words, as the association of ecological and naturalist groups of Gipuzkoa Naturkon has denounced, the planning that the Basque Government and the three Deputies disseminated last autumn to the four winds under the name of the “Basque Strategy for the Recovery of Konifero Forests” has no scientific basis. It has not been shown that cuprous oxide is useful in combating the plague of the brown band, and what is more serious, the environmental damage that can be caused by this type of treatment is not negligible. Motions against this treatment have been adopted in several municipalities in Gipuzkoa, but the Basque Government and the Council have not given up: In particular, they have asked Madrid to authorize owners to carry out land-based treatment. But what about environmental damage? They have already carried out experiments in Gipuzkoa, and it is clear that they have not produced good results (they have not done so either). What should they experience on such a large surface? What protocols will they follow? Are we not dealing with another scam? And they do it again with public money!

It's really worrying that our authorities have shown contempt for science in a country where we have leading research centers in Science and Technology. Is Mrs Tapia going to confess to the parliament that she lied? From the outset we denounce that the idea of using cuprous oxide is barbaric. On the one hand, aerial spraying is prohibited because of its harmful effects on the environment, and on the other hand, cuprous oxide is a generic fungicide that transforms into venom in aquatic ecosystems, which is fatal to all fungi. Under these conditions, the treatment intended to be used on one third of the surface of Gipuzkoa cannot be designed in those periods, at least in the name of science.

It is to be feared that the Basque Government and the three Members of Parliament are irresponsible in the use of measures which may cause significant environmental damage. They are prepared to put at risk the health of all of us and our environment in order to defend the economic interests of the few, and they express it without shame.

The pinar crisis offers us a unique opportunity to change forestry policy. This is a sector that needs to be modernised, forcing environmental damage to be taken into account. The exploitation of nature must be combined with conservation, and for that there is knowledge and form in Gipuzkoa. Forestry should not just be wood, and it is essential to liberate the forestry policy from the wood lobby. We call on the Member to convene the Biodiversity Bureau as soon as possible and to start designing a new forestry policy once and for all. And we call on all political parties to openly reject the decision of the Basque Parliament and the Basque Government and to support our demands.

For our part, as we have done so far, we will continue to monitor the issue closely so that citizens are informed. We are prepared to give our opinion on the plight crisis anywhere, as raising public awareness is also our task.


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