Latest news with #PabloAlvarezVeloso
Reuters
3 days ago
- General
- Reuters
Spanish court orders cleanup of Galician pig farm pollution in landmark ruling
MADRID, July 11 (Reuters) - The top court in Spain's northwestern Galicia region has ordered that authorities stamp out pollution linked to intensive pig farming in a landmark case highlighting decades-long environmental mismanagement, a court document showed on Friday. Spain, Europe's largest pork producer, houses about a third of its pig farms in Galicia. The court found that for some 20,000 residents of the A Limia area, the fundamental right to living in a healthy environment had been violated. The ruling, condemning both state and regional authorities, marks the first time a European court has addressed the impact of large-scale livestock farming on water sources and residents' human rights, according to environmental groups ClientEarth and Friends of the Earth Spain, which supported the case. It could pave the way for other communities suffering from similar issues to demand justice and protection from authorities, campaigners say. A Limia residents say life has become "unfeasible" due to the proliferation of intensive pig and poultry farms, which brought unbearable odours and contamination from chemicals such as nitrates that seeped into groundwater and water reservoirs. The court stated that regional authorities and the national body overseeing water management failed to act despite legal obligations and awareness of the issues. Government and regional officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The ruling can be appealed at Spain's Supreme Court. The court in Galicia ordered that the Galician regional government and the Mino-Sil Hydrographic Confederation take immediate measures to eliminate odours and environmental degradation around the As Conchas water reservoir. The ruling also mandates authorities to ensure clean and safe drinking water free of harmful microorganisms and chemical substances. "Now the authorities have to take action," Pablo Alvarez Veloso, head of the neighbours' association in the As Conchas reservoir area, told Reuters.
The Star
11-07-2025
- General
- The Star
Spanish court orders cleanup of Galician pig farm pollution in landmark ruling
MADRID (Reuters) -The top court in Spain's northwestern Galicia region has ordered that authorities stamp out pollution linked to intensive pig farming in a landmark case highlighting decades-long environmental mismanagement, a court document showed on Friday. Spain, Europe's largest pork producer, houses about a third of its pig farms in Galicia. The court found that for some 20,000 residents of the A Limia area, the fundamental right to living in a healthy environment had been violated. The ruling, condemning both state and regional authorities, marks the first time a European court has addressed the impact of large-scale livestock farming on water sources and residents' human rights, according to environmental groups ClientEarth and Friends of the Earth Spain, which supported the case. It could pave the way for other communities suffering from similar issues to demand justice and protection from authorities, campaigners say. A Limia residents say life has become "unfeasible" due to the proliferation of intensive pig and poultry farms, which brought unbearable odours and contamination from chemicals such as nitrates that seeped into groundwater and water reservoirs. The court stated that regional authorities and the national body overseeing water management failed to act despite legal obligations and awareness of the issues. Government and regional officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The ruling can be appealed at Spain's Supreme Court. The court in Galicia ordered that the Galician regional government and the Mino-Sil Hydrographic Confederation take immediate measures to eliminate odours and environmental degradation around the As Conchas water reservoir. The ruling also mandates authorities to ensure clean and safe drinking water free of harmful microorganisms and chemical substances. "Now the authorities have to take action," Pablo Alvarez Veloso, head of the neighbours' association in the As Conchas reservoir area, told Reuters. (Reporting by Emma Pinedo; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Aidan Lewis)
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Residents demand justice after nightmare farm conditions make everyday life impossible: 'Even the idea of walking ... has become unfeasible'
Residents of Madrid, with the help of environmental groups, are suing the Spanish state and the Galician region over the mismanagement of pollution caused by pig farming. As Reuters reported, the case argues that the authorities' inaction in Europe's largest pork-producing country breached national and European law. This case was filed with the High Court of Justice of the Northwestern region, which is home to about a third of Spain's pig farms. ClientEarth, one of the plaintiffs supporting the case, said in a statement that this is the "first time a court in Europe will hear a case on the human rights impacts of intensive livestock operations on water sources." Due to pollution from the hundreds of irresponsible pig and poultry farms, people in Northwestern Galicia's A Limia area said life has become "unfeasible." Despite these farms endangering the health of their community, officials continue to approve the addition of new local farms. Not only is an unbearable stench in the air preventing residents from opening their windows, but the farms are also contaminating the water with dangerous chemicals. "Both the Spanish constitution and European law could not be clearer: Public authorities have a legal obligation to protect people from harm — and even from exposure to harmful pollution," ClientEarth lawyer Nieves Noval said, per Reuters. Over 20,000 people are living in an area with high levels of cancer-causing nitrates, as well as antibiotic-resistant bacteria and hepatotoxin, which is a highly toxic material that can cause severe liver damage. This not only puts those who have used the water in danger, but it also renders the water unusable. Pablo Alvarez Veloso, president of the local neighbourhood association, was quoted by Reuters as saying, "We are so concerned about the pollution that even the idea of walking near the reservoir has become unfeasible." This isn't the only place this problem exists, either. Massive farms run by companies like Perdue are polluting ecosystems, creating health risks, and lowering the quality of life for nearby residents across the globe. This lawsuit is meant to hold both the European and Spanish legislation accountable for the mistreatment of residents. Residents hope it will repair the harm done to the community and prevent further damage from these farming practices. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Galicia authorities said they are in talks with pig farmers and local governing bodies to find a happy medium and stated that the national government should also be held accountable. Environmental groups and residents are also taking action elsewhere in the world — in Oregon and Michigan, for example — to pass laws and hold farms to stricter standards of waste management. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Raising a stink: Spaniards sue state over pig farm pollution
MADRID (Reuters) - Environmental groups and residents are suing the Spanish state and the region of Galicia in a landmark case over alleged decades-long mismanagement of pollution caused by intensive pig farming, activist charity ClientEarth said on Wednesday. The case, which argues that the authorities' inaction in Europe's largest pork producing country breached national and European law, was filed with the High Court of Justice of the northwestern region - home to about a third of Spain's pig farms. ClientEarth, which is supporting the case alongside Friends of the Earth Spain, said in a statement it was the first time a court in Europe will hear a case on the impact of intensive livestock operations on water sources and, consequently, on residents' human rights. There are about nine plaintiffs involved, including residents and associations. People in northwestern Galicia's A Limia area say life has become "unfeasible" due to hundreds of intensive pig and poultry farms, which they say are putting the health of their community at risk. The stench, which prevents residents from opening the windows at home, is only part of the problem, they say. Chemicals such as nitrates are also widely used in industrial farming and often end up in groundwater and water reservoirs. About 20,000 people live in the affected area. The case says an "extremely high level of nitrates", which pose the risk of a number of cancers and other diseases, has been recorded at the local reservoir, where studies have also found antibiotic-resistant bacteria and an extremely toxic substance known as hepatotoxin. "We are so concerned about the pollution that even the idea of walking near the reservoir has become unfeasible," Pablo Alvarez Veloso, president of the local neighbourhood association, was quoted as saying in the statement. The local authority did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The claimants, including Spain's consumer organisation CECU, decided to bring the case to court after officials continued to rubber-stamp new farms despite residents' repeated attempts to get them to address the agricultural pollution. "Both the Spanish constitution and European law could not be clearer: public authorities have a legal obligation to protect people from harm – and even from exposure to harmful pollution," ClientEarth lawyer Nieves Noval said.
Reuters
26-03-2025
- Health
- Reuters
Raising a stink: Spaniards sue state over pig farm pollution
MADRID, March 26 (Reuters) - Environmental groups and residents are suing the Spanish state and the region of Galicia in a landmark case over alleged decades-long mismanagement of pollution caused by intensive pig farming, activist charity ClientEarth said on Wednesday. The case, which argues that the authorities' inaction in Europe's largest pork producing country breached national and European law, was filed with the High Court of Justice of the northwestern region - home to about a third of Spain's pig farms. here. ClientEarth, which is supporting the case alongside Friends of the Earth Spain, said in a statement it was the first time a court in Europe will hear a case on the impact of intensive livestock operations on water sources and, consequently, on residents' human rights. There are about nine plaintiffs involved, including residents and associations. People in northwestern Galicia's A Limia area say life has become "unfeasible" due to hundreds of intensive pig and poultry farms, which they say are putting the health of their community at risk. The stench, which prevents residents from opening the windows at home, is only part of the problem, they say. Chemicals such as nitrates are also widely used in industrial farming and often end up in groundwater and water reservoirs. About 20,000 people live in the affected area. The case says an "extremely high level of nitrates", which pose the risk of a number of cancers and other diseases, has been recorded at the local reservoir, where studies have also found antibiotic-resistant bacteria and an extremely toxic substance known as hepatotoxin. "We are so concerned about the pollution that even the idea of walking near the reservoir has become unfeasible," Pablo Alvarez Veloso, president of the local neighbourhood association, was quoted as saying in the statement. The local authority did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The claimants, including Spain's consumer organisation CECU, decided to bring the case to court after officials continued to rubber-stamp new farms despite residents' repeated attempts to get them to address the agricultural pollution. "Both the Spanish constitution and European law could not be clearer: public authorities have a legal obligation to protect people from harm – and even from exposure to harmful pollution," ClientEarth lawyer Nieves Noval said.
