The investigation began following a complaint filed by the owners of the affected plots, who reported damage to their fruit trees due to the product dispersal. The contracted company, based in the province of Tarragona, had been hired to apply the phytosanitary product to barley crops.
“"Possibly, by failing to consider climatological factors, the herbicides dispersed onto the adjacent plots, cultivated with fruit trees that, at that time, were in the flowering phase, causing damage to the trees, and therefore, to their production."
Agents initiated the investigation, named Vent de Ponent, collecting samples alongside plant health technicians from Catalonia. These samples were sent to the Agri-Food Laboratory of Cabrils, in Maresme, for analysis.
The investigation confirmed that the Tarragona company lacked authorization to apply phytosanitary products using drones, and furthermore, prohibited herbicides were used for aerial application. The proceedings have been handed over to the Court of First Instance and Instruction number 3 of Balaguer, in Noguera.
