Farmers in the Plana Baixa region of Castellón are experiencing a summer of desperation due to significant damage caused by herds of wild boars and rabbits in their citrus groves. Affected farmers estimate losses in the thousands of euros, describing "astonishing" situations with destroyed irrigation systems and holes in the fields.
Producers from La Vilavella, Vila-real, and la Vall d'Uixó are showing their helplessness against a plague that is "growing constantly." "We are surrounded. We only have enemies," laments a farmer from la Vall, who believes the discouragement is "total" and could lead him to "throw in the towel."
In response, La Unió Llauradora i Ramadera has called for a protest on Friday, July 10th, in front of the Conselleries of Agriculture and Environment in València. The aim is to demand "urgent and effective" measures against wildlife damage and to call for decisive action against the abandonment of agricultural land.
The organization will denounce the inadequacy of current policies and call for coordinated management to reduce the proliferation of species causing "significant economic losses." It is estimated that last year, wildlife damage in Castellón amounted to 20 million euros.
La Unió has submitted an amendment to the 2026 budgets to subsidize preventive measures against wildlife damage, allocated with 900,000 euros. These grants would fund actions such as the installation of protective barriers, enclosures, or deterrent systems.
