-- Andalucía

Mining Policy (Andalucía)

2014-06-04T10:01:22+00:00

Authors:	Michiel Curfs, Anton Imeson, Marit de Vries
Coordinating authors:	Constantinos Kosmas, Agostino Ferrara, Ruta Landgrebe, Sandra Nauman
Editors:	Alexandros Kandelapas, Jane Brandt

{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 30Apr14: Sources D142-6. and D342-4.{/xtypo_alert}

The regional government of Andalucía has prepared a planning tool called PORMIAN (2010-2013) (Plan de ordenación de los recursos minerals de Andalucía) is a planning tool to guide mining strategically in Andalucía through the establishment of objectives, axes, lines and actions. PORMIAN was approved in 2005 and follows Law 1/1994 on Spatial Planning the Spatial Plan of the Autonomous Community of Andalucía (POTA Plan de Ordenacion del territorio de Andalucía). The objectives of the Andalucían mining program are:

to contribute to the development and improvement of the competitiveness and productivity of the Andalucían mining sector, through technological upgrading and incorporating innovative processes;
to encourage the maintenance and creation of employment and increased added value through the development and consolidation of the industrial mining sector of raw materials in Andalucía. with focus on design of new product and applications;
promoting environmental integration of mining and compatibility with other land resource based activities;
to disseminate and facilitate access to knowledge of the mining sector;
modernizing administrative management in mining areas of Andalucía;
strenghten training, qualification and safety in the mining sector.

Policy actors: Coordination and monitoring of the plan are allocated to the Secretary General of Industrial Development and Energy and the Department of Industry, Energy and Mines (Secretaría General de Desarrollo Industrial y Energético y a la Dirección General de Industria, Energía y Minas). Evaluation of the plan will be performed by a Monitoring and Evaluation Committee, integrated in the Regional Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Science (Consejería de Economía, Innovación y Ciencia), the confederation of businesses of Andalucía (Confederación de Empresarios de Andalucía) and representatives of the Andalucían Workers Union and the Commission (UGT and CCOO).

On 25 January 2013, the Regional Minister of Economy, Innovation, Science and Employment Mr. Antonio Avila announced the biggest metal mining incentive organized in the recent history of the autonomous region. The province or Huelva has received 40 rights for licence holders of exploration investigations. In the province 32,200 ha are affected by these permits. Together with the permits given in the province of Sevilla that affect 48,700 ha, in total 4.6% of the Iberian Pyrite Belt is affected by these permits.

Effectiveness cannot be assessed, as the policy only recently came in effect. Respondents have criticised the report with regard to sustainability, particularly in the face of contamination risk.

Agricultural Policy (Andalucía)

2014-06-04T10:05:49+00:00

Authors:	Michiel Curfs, Anton Imeson, Marit de Vries
Coordinating authors:	Constantinos Kosmas, Agostino Ferrara, Ruta Landgrebe, Sandra Nauman
Editors:	Alexandros Kandelapas, Jane Brandt

{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 20Mar14: Sources D142-6. and D342-4.{/xtypo_alert}

In Spain, the EU rural development policy is implemented through Rural Development Programs (RDPs), established at the regional level. Funding is provided through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The RDP of Andalucía 2007-2013 sets three main objectives.

Increasing the competitiveness of agriculture and forestry in the rural area (human potential, physical potential, quality of products, innovation.
Improving the environment and the countryside.
Ensuring the quality of life in rural areas and diversifying the rural economy, as well as strengthening territorial cohesion.

The RDP budget (2007-2013) exceeds €2 billion of which the EAFRD (with 75% public contribution). Of this total budget for rural development planning in Andalucía, about 10% is devoted to the execution of the LEADER programme. The other 90% is expenditure for strengthening the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sectors (43%), improving the rural environment (45%), enhancing the quality of life and diversification of the rural economy (1%) and technical assistance (0.7%).

Among other initiatives led by the Spanish Government and the Autonomous Communities, the Spanish Law 45/2007 of 13 December on Sustainable Rural Development regulates and establishes measures to promote the sustainable development of rural areas assuming basic conditions to guarantee equal rights to all Spanish citizens and the management of socioeconomic activities in rural areas. Supporting local entrepreneurship is one of the main routes that is promoted to keep the younger population from leaving the area and to generate more attractive and sustainable livelihoods.

Various departments of the Government of Andalucía are involved in policy formulation and implementation :

The Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment.
The Regional Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Andalucían Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Fisheries, and Food Organic Production (IFAPA).
The Regional Ministry of Public Works.
The Regional Ministry of Tourism.
Provincial and City Councils (local authorities).
Local action groups (LAGs) acting as intermediaries of the Junta de Andalucía (regional government) for reimbursement for rural development funds. The study site LAG is ADRAO (Association for the development of Rural Baixo Guadiana), which also includes the commonwealth Beturia (mancomunidad Beturia), a unification of several municipalities.

Additional policy instruments The Andalucían Sustainable Rural Development programme has a budget of almost €800M as well as various long-term projects, (LiderA Programme, AVIVA Programme). The Western Andévalo and Baixo Guadiana study sites have participated in successive versions of the LEADER programs since 1994 through ADRAO which has been labelled an ‘entrepreneurial’ type of LAG by the Junta de Andalucía in the evaluation report of the LEADER II program due to its collaboration with entrepreneurs and their associations in the region. ADRAO has also realised several projects for entrepreneurs (DINAMIZACIÓN DEL ANDÉVALO OCCIDENTAL, Intrarural etc).

Impact and effectiveness. Since 1986, the CAP has supported the production of cereals, meat (cattle, sheep, goats) in the Dehesas and the expansion of forest plantations through subsidies.

While the shift in competence from state to autonomous communities has led to a strengthening of the power within rural areas, confusion within the national government over its own influence and control regarding RD still exists. On the other hand rural unemployment figures remain high, as in all of Spain. A movement of younger persons back to rural areas is noticeable.

In addition, interviews point to the existence of multiple plans and reports without however equal examination of their execution. It has also been noted that despite available finance, local and private participation remains limited while the import of expertise from urban centres may constitute a problem for project execution. In this context, public participation in the planning process is very important.

Direct Aid to Fruits and Vegetable sector (Andalucía)

2014-06-04T10:07:29+00:00

Authors:	Michiel Curfs, Anton Imeson, Marit de Vries
Coordinating authors:	Constantinos Kosmas, Agostino Ferrara, Ruta Landgrebe, Sandra Nauman
Editors:	Alexandros Kandelapas, Jane Brandt

{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 20Mar14: Sources D142-6. and D342-4.{/xtypo_alert}

In response to Regulation (EC) No 1182/2007, which lays down specific rules as regards the fruit and vegetable sector, the Spanish National Strategy for sustainable Operational Programs defined objectives and actions with a view to increase commercialisation and stabilise producer costs. The Andalucían Oranges Program is an example of implementation of the National Strategy in the fruit and vegetable sector through an integrated agro-alimentary project. The fruit and juice company Garcia Carrion (main policy actor) has received more than €70 million from EARDF to build facilities in the Andévalo area (opened in 2006). The original scope of this project was based on orange deliveries of 7,000 hectares of integrated orange plantations. The company emphasises that the input of oranges is realised through long term agreements with plantations situated throughout the entire Huelva province. The objective for 2006 was to realise a production of 80 million litres of orange juice and sales of €250 million. The project yields a total yearly production of 160 million litres of juice.
The processing plant in Western Andévalo is able to process 200,000 tons of oranges and 120 million litres of fresh orange juice per year. The plant is surrounded by orange plantations of which 1,500 ha that directly surround the plant belong to the company itself. To reach full capacity the plant needs the raw materials from 8,000 ha of citrus groves. Further conversion of 3,000 hectares into orange groves is under way by local farmers under long term contracts.

Water Policy (Andalucía)

2014-06-04T10:08:33+00:00

Authors:	Michiel Curfs, Anton Imeson, Marit de Vries
Coordinating authors:	Constantinos Kosmas, Agostino Ferrara, Ruta Landgrebe, Sandra Nauman
Editors:	Alexandros Kandelapas, Jane Brandt

{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 20Mar14: Sources D142-6. and D342-4.{/xtypo_alert}

The regional government Junta de Andalucía, approved the plan “Regadío del Andévalo" (Irrigation of Andévalo) in 2003, aiming to convert 10,000 ha of land to plantations of citrus fruits, nuts and olives, with a budget of € 60M. The plan is part of the Strategy of Economic Spreading, to provide alternatives to mining activities and increase attractiveness of the area. The areas for cultivation will be divided over 17 municipalities in the region. The newly irrigated areas are expected to create approximately 400,000 jobs with a total production of 100 million Euro. Implementation proceeds at slow pace.

Forest Policy (Andalucía)

2014-06-04T10:10:36+00:00

Authors:	Michiel Curfs, Anton Imeson, Marit de Vries
Coordinating authors:	Constantinos Kosmas, Agostino Ferrara, Ruta Landgrebe, Sandra Nauman
Editors:	Alexandros Kandelapas, Jane Brandt

{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 20Mar14: Sources D142-6. and D342-4.{/xtypo_alert}

Plans and Strategies that form forest policy

Forest planning at the national level began with the Forest Law in 1957, providing the framework for the use and conservation of Spanish forests. Forest management competence was transferred to the Autonomous Communities under the 1978 Spanish Constitution. Law 43/2003 on Forestry (amended in 2006) is an adaptation to international trends regarding sustainable forest management. It appoints regional governments as the competent authority responsible for forests, according to the Constitution and statutes of autonomy. This law establishes the need for a comprehensive, scaled forest plan, consolidating the Spanish Forest Strategy and the Spanish Forestry Plan as instruments of planning relating also to the National Action Programme to Combat Desertification and the National Priorities for Hydrological-forestry.

The European Forestry Strategy (1998) was incorporated into the Spanish legal framework through the Spanish Forest Strategy (adopted in 1999). It provides guidance for planning in the country, and enjoys broad social and institutional support by all involved sectors. Most Autonomous Communities already have additional regional strategies. The Forestry Plan of Andalucía was the first initiative within the country and was approved in 1989.

In addition to the Spanish Forest Strategy and the Forestry Plan of Andalucía, other policies also contribute to the protection and management of forest, including the Master Plan for the National Park Network (management of natural areas), the Spanish Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity (1998), the Spanish Strategic Plan for Wetlands (1999) and the Spanish Strategy for Climate Change and Clean Energy (2007) coordinating climate action among autonomous communities and municipalities in the context of the Kyoto Protocol (indicators, information, preventive actions, measures for carbon absorption etc).

Law 2/1992 on Forestry of Andalucía establishes mountainous and forested lands as an integral part of regional planning, including areas covered by trees, shrub, scrub, or grass, which perform ecological protection, production, landscape, or recreational functions. Under this law, the Autonomous Community of Andalucía is responsible for land classification, forest management, licensing and sanctions, setting measures for the protection, restoration, conservation and protection of mountain areas, and others. Law 2/1992 also introduces the concept of local management plans. The law's objectives are:

protection and conservation of vegetation, soil and wildlife;
restoration of degraded forest ecosystems, especially those subject to erosion and desertification;
proper land use allocation and rational utilization of renewable natural resources;
integration of social, productive, and recreational use of forestland, contributing to improved quality of life, health, social, and economic conditions;
effective social participation in decisions on all matters contained in the Law, with special attention to the interests of municipalities and other local bodies.

The Government of Andalucía has in place and regularly updates the Andalucían Forest Plan, first insituted in 1989. The plan established the basic principles of sustainable forest management. It also adopted a 60-year planning horizon, establishing decadal phases with updates every five years and annual implementation reports. It is fair to say that the first plan represents a substantial shift in forest policy within the Autonomous Community of Andalucía and an overall achievement for Mediterranean forest management.

Currently (2010-2015) the plan includes public investments of € 2.5 billion euros. Its seven programmes cover erosion control, the fight against desertification, restoration of degraded ecosystems, the control of forest fires, promotion of the sustainable forest management and the transformation and marketing of forest resources. Noteworthy actions of the program include the restoration of forest paths, conservation action for the Iberian lynx and the imperial eagle, firebreak maintenance and restoration of burnt areas. The Regional Ministry of Environment also prepares Integrated Plans for forest health (monitoring and combating pathogens including Plan for pine shoot beetle, pine processionary, gypsy moth etc).

The plan also acts as an umbrella for several initiatives and planning instruments including the Andalucían Plan for Control of Invasive Species, the Plan for Recovery and Management of Cattle Tracks Network, the Plan to Combat Forest Fires of the Autonomous Community of Andalucía (Plan INFOCA), the Plan (Quercus) Suber (cork production) and the Plan of Conservation and Sustainable Use of Mushrooms and Truffles in Andalucía (Plan CUSSTA).

Forest fire prevention and control is regulated by Law 5/1999, of 29 June, on Prevention and Control of Forest Fires in Andalucía, and implemented through Fire Prevention Plans (local level).

The region's Environmental Plan (PMA), the Andalucían Strategy for Sustainable Development, the Andalucían Climate Change Strategy, the Andalucían Environmental Education Strategy (AEES), the Andalucían Plan for Biodiversity Conservation, The Andalucían Sustainable Energy Plan 2007-2013 and The Andalucían Plan for Research, Development and Innovation (PAIDI) also contain several forestry provisions.

Policy actors

The main policy actors at the national level are the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment, also competent to perform actions in Andalucían territory (e.g. forest hydrological correction in the Guadalquivir River Basin) and the Ministry of Public Works is responsible for the maintenance of the State Road Network, reforestation, prevention of landslides etc. Policy implementation falls is almost exclusively the responsibility of the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment of the Government of Andalucía, collaborating with Provincial councils, municipalities, and public participation.

Other actors include forest owners (74% of forest territory), private forest nurseries, forest companies, professionals and skilled labour, farmers, cattle breeders, universities and research groups and volunteers. On the part of the Regional Government those responsible are the Regional Ministry of Interior and Justice, the Regional Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment and the Environment and Water Agency of Andalucía (autonomous body of the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment). In the context of this case study, the Provincial Council of Huelva has the competence of coordinating, counselling, assisting, and cooperating with municipalities, especially the smaller municipalities requiring these services. City Councils are responsible for urban planning within the municipalities, playing a key role in forestland management (especially for those municipalities owning the public forests). Environment and Water Agency of Andalucía is responsible for the promotion of hydrological restoration works in forests. Furthermore, with the process of water transfers from the National Government to Andalucía in recent years, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic River Basin Districts were created. In the case of the Guadalquivir river, the Spanish Ministry of Environment, with respect to hydraulic works, is the responsible authority for scheduling, financing, and promoting the work that is considered as being of national interest within its territory.

Impacts of forest policy

The impacts of specific plans may be summarized as follows.

Integrated plans to combat the pine processionary, pine shoot beetles, pine nematode and the gypsy moth covering more than 1,000,000 has.
Reduction in incidents of forest fires and total burnt area.

Forest policy instruments and EU financing have had a big impact on the dehesa. Between 1990 and 2006, nearly 30,000 ha of farmland were afforested in the county of the Andévalo mainly with autochthonous trees (Quercus ilex), under regulation 2080/92.
However, the practical application of forestation measures is not without problems. In order to cover pre-conditions (set by regulation 2080/92), many land owners cleared all existing vegetation cover resulting in vegetation loss, land levelling, and compaction. Fragmentation also increased, although total the forest area (ha) increased, in practice there are a lot of small islands of trees.

Dehesa farmers continue to produce their famous hams (jamon, pata negra) but in 2012 the price for this meat sunk to the level it was 28 years ago. Profitability of the Dehesa is currently negative.

Nature Protection & Biodiversity Policy (Andalucía)

2014-06-04T10:12:54+00:00

Authors:	Michiel Curfs, Anton Imeson, Marit de Vries
Coordinating authors:	Constantinos Kosmas, Agostino Ferrara, Ruta Landgrebe, Sandra Nauman
Editors:	Alexandros Kandelapas, Jane Brandt

{xtypo_alert}Editor's note 20Mar14: Sources D142-6. and D342-4.{/xtypo_alert}

Sites of Community Importance (SCI) are established in Andalucía in 2003 by Law 18/2003. This law applies to protected natural areas including those that are part of the European ecological network Natura 2000, (Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC).

ES6150018 "Río Guadiana Ribera of Chanza", with an area of 1,545 ha, along 77 km stretch of river and the east bank of both streams, corresponding to 52 km of the Guadiana and the adjacent riparian zones.
SCI ES6150010, with 52,902 ha. It covers the counties of Sanlúcar de Guadiana and El Granado, and most of San Silvestre de Guzmán, El Almendro, and Puebla de Guzmán, in addition to extensions of lower Ayamonte, Paymogo, Cartaya, Lepe, and Villanueva de los Castillejos.
SCI ES6150015, with a surface of 386 ha known as the "Isla de San Bruno", in the marshes of the Guadiana.
SCI ES6150005, coinciding with the Paraje Everglades Natural de las Isla Cristina" (2,385 ha).
SCI ES6150020, a small section of "Arroyo del Alamillo" in the municipality of Villablanca.

Today, under Decree 95/2003, the Network of Protected Natural Spaces of Andalucía (RENPA) is an integrated and unified network of natural areas. The RENPA covers 247 spaces, with a total surface of about 2.8 million hectares, (representing approximately 30.5% surface of Andalucía). The RENPA objectives are:

Coordination of general management systems of protected natural areas.
External promotion of protected natural areas
Collaboration in national and international programmes dealing with natural areas and wildlife.
Information sharing with other networks or systems of protection,
The promotion of values, attitudes, and respectful behaviour to nature to the inhabitants of protected natural areas and, in general, all Andalusians.
The promotion and sustainable development of natural resources.

At the local scale, the Directorate General of Planning established (2007) the Special Plans on Environmental Protection, which contain necessary measures for urban development in order to ensure the protection of the natural (physical) environment. Accordingly, Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity of Andalucía, established the Natural Resources Management Plans (PORN). The plans were also linked with forestry as a planning tool. The preparation of Master Plans for Use and Management (PRUG) of Natural Protected Areas was also established by the same Law (42/2007). The PRUG is to be developed by Natural Parks detailing objectives, guidelines, standards, regulation on different uses and activities, as well as guidelines for management of natural resources. Also, it overrides the urban planning and determines the inconsistency with the existing development rules.

Andalucía also has in place a Plan for Biodiversity Conservation with three programmes with specific objectives and measures: The Habitat Conservation Programme, The Wildlife Conservation Programme, and The High Value Ecosystem Management Programme. Biodiversity policy is of particular relevance to the Baixo Guadiana study site due to the presence of the Dehesa which constitutes a protected habitat under the Habitats Directive. The Dehesas of Sierra Morena have also been declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

The main policy actor is the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment of the Government of Andalucía, responsible for (amongst others): biodiversity, natural protected areas, water, natural and soil conservation, forestry management, erosion control activities, forest fire prevention and control, environmental quality, drought and waste management, and environmental information. Each Natural Protected Area has its own management board integrated by regional, provincial and local authorities, stakeholders, scientists, and local citizens. While there is a general understanding that the area is important for biodiversity, there is general lack of clarity with the regard to the actual meaning and possibilities of this characterisation. Implementation of the policy in the field is therefore questionable. Uncertainty and rejection are also present. Obstacles relate to the lack of communication with local populations, the absence of dedicated funding instruments and the scarce progress in terms of the planning and management of areas of the Natura 2000 Network.