President of Profor, Spain Forestry Association, and Professor of Forestry and Management of Dasometría of the UPM, this article analyzes the causes of forest fires and calls for European funds are mator to engage in forest policy.
Every year at this time, the fires have arrived. And as always, to Galicia with the virulence usual. Maybe this year, but that meets Galicia, alone, nearly 50% of fires in Spain is not new, has spent years going. Galicians should analyze why, but it is difficult to understand.
For a fire to occur, a lack three things: heat, oxygen and fuel. Air and fuel, in this case forest, there is throughout and the heat source is usually the produce man. And the place for many reasons, there is no need to consult statistics. Most often caused by negligence, and less by economic interests. Neither the timber nor the speculators are producing urban fires. Any message or initiative to divert attention to such groups merely to exonerate those responsible, although in reality we have to blame a little all.
Some, for laziness, others for lack of civility, others by irresponsible, others by demagogues, and not just on silent. Because inertia is burning stubble or pasture without considering the consequences. Because lack of civility is throwing a cigarette butt or barbecues are not due, although it can be. Why is that irresponsible blames the government when the only money they spend little or much, in the prevention and extinction. Accomplice because he knows who is burning and not complaint. Because rhetoric is burning pine and eucalyptus and no oak or beech. Are climatic conditions, together with the action of man, not the forest species that favor this type of disaster.
And because it burns more and more forests are more people, and because the mountain is no longer creates wealth as before. And because there is a strong bet to make real and effective forest policy. The solution is not to give grants in the burned areas, the money must come before, not after, because if not, end up being one more reason to be burned. Subsidize prevention, active management, wealth creation and jobs. And for this we are now in a crucial and decisive moment.
In the political sphere is deciding the destination of European funds for rural development for the period 2007-2013, the EAFRD fund. The money that has done so much for agriculture and animal husbandry in Spain in recent years and so little for our mountains. I think it is good time for the two ministers of Agriculture and the Environment, are calmly, without suspicion or corporate interests spurious, and make policy for the countryside, because the agricultural forestry is also not only the agricultural and livestock.
