The Plana Baixa is the most affected region by the rabbit plague in the province of Castellón, with towns such as la Vall d'Uixó, Almenara, and Nules particularly suffering damage to their citrus crops. Other municipalities like les Alqueries or Betxí have also detected problems.
According to La Unió Llauradora i Ramadera, the preventive measures required to address this situation incur additional costs ranging from 540 to 1,380 euros per hectare. These actions include applying copper-based products to tree trunks, installing individual protectors on young saplings, or fencing off plots with metal mesh, thereby reducing the profitability of the farms.
New plantations are particularly vulnerable, as rabbits can affect tree development and necessitate the replacement of specimens. Furthermore, the cost of labor for installing and maintaining these protective measures must be added.
To alleviate this issue, La Unió has submitted an amendment to les Corts Valencianes to subsidize preventive measures against wildlife damage in the 2026 budget, with a planned allocation of 900,000 euros. This would fund actions such as protectors, fencing, and deterrent systems.
The organization believes that the increase in abandoned fields contributes to the proliferation of rabbits and other species, turning them into wildlife reservoirs that then move towards active agricultural holdings in search of food. Consequently, La Unió has urged the Generalitat Valenciana to implement a Valencian Action Plan for abandoned, underutilized, or inadequately maintained agricultural plots, which generate phytosanitary problems, fire risks, and economic losses for farmers.
