Council pacts with stockbreeders on rural renewal

ramaders conveni 240415This morning, Formentera Council president Jaume Ferrer and councilman Santi Juan of the office of agriculture, livestock and fishing, put their signature on a collaborative accord struck with the Associació de Ramaders (Stockbreeders' Association) of the island. As part of the deal, the Associació, whose president Santi Tur was also on hand for the morning's signing, will receive total funding in the amount €32,000, to be dispersed in three parts over the coming year.

The accord will serve to further strengthen the Council's dedication to improving both the productivity and landscapes of Formentera countryside. This commitment has already been demonstrated through other collaborative projects, such as the untilled land use (Fons de Terres) project and the construction of an industrial space for the island's agricultural sector, both with the Formentera Farmers' Cooperative.

According to group president Santi Tur, with some one hundred locals on its member rolls, the Associació de Ramaders tallies 81 heads of pig and 842 goats and sheep among its membership's livestock. Tur affirmed: “We are very grateful to the Formentera Council because without this financial backing it would be much more difficult to do what we do”.

Says Jaume Ferrer, the pact is also a way to support proper hygiene among farm animals. The Council president cited veterinary services included in the present deal, but also spoke of a broader vision: “An important part of the pact is the support it provides for improving agricultural production”.

Councillor of agriculture Santiago Juan reminded those in the crowd that “above and beyond this accord, the Council of Formentera helps with the purchase of medication and – a little over a year ago, during an exceptionally crippling dry spell – provided a special round of assistance in the form of animal feed”.