• ES - español
  • EN - English
Parliamentary question - E-000124/2019Parliamentary question
E-000124/2019

Migratory birds endangered by mechanised olive harvesting

Question for written answer E-000124-19
to the Commission
Rule 130
Carolina Punset (ALDE)

The traditional olive groves of Andalusia are ecosystems with a wealth of biodiversity especially attractive to migratory birds, which do not distinguish between traditional orchards and highly intensive hedge-type or high-density plantations designed to keep down costs by facilitating mechanised farming throughout the crop cycle.

Harvesting in these industrialised plantations begins during the hours of darkness, turning the olive hedges into a death trap for the birds that sleep there:[1] blinded by the lights of the harvesting machines, they cannot escape and are literally swallowed up.

Most of these migratory birds, their habitat and stop-over areas are protected under both Spanish national law and that of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, as well as by the Birds Directive.

Mechanised harvesting poses not only a major threat to biodiversity but also a public health problem as the olives harvested are mixed with the remains of thousands of birds. Despite the seriousness of the issue, the Junta (government) of Andalusia, responsible for agriculture and the environment, has not banned the nocturnal harvesting system.

Does the Commission consider that Member States need to be warned about the consequences of using this harvesting method, which is totally at odds with any moves towards ‘greening’ the common agricultural policy?

Last updated: 23 January 2019
Legal notice - Privacy policy