The National Federation of irrigators debated the situation of irrigation and water in his 12th National Congress

Tarragona becomes a must for the sector of Spanish irrigation as the venue for the twelfth edition of the National Congress of communities of irrigators. The event opens its doors today, in order to discuss the situation of agriculture and water, in a context marked by the risk of "provincialization" of the management of river basins and the rise in electricity rates as factors which threaten the continuity of the process of modernization of irrigation. The Secretary of State of Rural Environment and water, Josep Puxeu, and the Minister of agriculture, Joaquím full launch this Congress organized by the National Federation of irrigators communities (Fenacore) and the Community General of watering of the channel of the right of the Ebro. The closure, on 14, shall be borne by the Director general of the water, Marta Moren.

This forum, which will bring together more than a thousand of irrigators, will be meeting point for users of water, State societies of agricultural infrastructure (SEIASAS), universities and companies in the sector in order to analyse the problems identified by the communities with regard to water and irrigation. Similarly, Congress should fix conclusions that will contribute to the progress of legislation in these matters and thus improve the management of resources. Within the framework of this Edition, will take place the Assembly of the Euro-Mediterranean community of Regantes (EIC), Association which looks after the interests of the watering of all countries members, Italy, Greece, France, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt, with the purpose of appointing new members that will integrate the Board of Directors (President)(, Vice-Presidents, responsible for Treasury and vocal charges).

This edition of the Congress address, inter alia, the problem of the modernization of irrigation, after the abolition of the rates of irrigation, insisting on the viability of the first phase of the National Plan for modernization of irrigation (PNR) horizon 2008that is calculated on the basis of energy costs are then multiplied. Also, will be the sustainability of irrigation which is expected to transform into the second phase of the PNR Horizon 2015. In this sense, the electric bill for irrigation has become more expensive between 70% and 150%, over the past three years. This represents 30% of the costs of production.

Last year, the cost of energy has increased almost 60%, which you must add a further increase of 20% in this year, after the entry into force of the order ITC/3519/2009 last January. On the other hand, this meeting will focus on the powers of the State in the field of water and the principle of unity in basin management, leading to debate the political and social consequences of exclusive ownership of the waters by some communities in their recent statutory reform. The use of surface water and groundwater in periods of poor rains, using in particular the aquifers in times of drought for agricultural uses and by booking the surface water of highest quality for other priority uses will also be addressed. Finally, it will be the importance that the criteria for fixing the ecological flows in basins appreciate the positions of all the social, economic, technical and institutional actors linked to water, to obtain the widest possible consensus and ensure the quantity and quality of water for later use.

Andrés del Campo, President of the National Federation of irrigators communities (Fenacore).