Within the framework of operation 'Vent de Ponent', the Guardia Civil in Lleida is investigating the events as an alleged crime of damages. The company, based in the Tarragona area, did not have the necessary authorization to carry out phytosanitary treatments by air, in addition to using a product prohibited for this application method.
The police force emphasizes that these practices are on the rise and it is necessary to have all corresponding authorizations to carry them out, required by Air Safety and Plant Health regulations.
The application of the products by drone, possibly without considering meteorological factors, caused the herbicides to spread to adjacent fields. This affected fruit trees that were in the flowering period, causing damage to both production and the trees themselves, following complaints filed by three owners.
Agents from the Nature Protection Team (EPRONA) launched the investigation following the complaint. Samples were taken jointly with technicians from Plant Health of Catalonia and sent to the Cabrils Agro-Food Laboratory, in Barcelona, for analysis. The proceedings have been referred to the Court of First Instance and Instruction Number 3 of Balaguer.
