Adjustments are made. An economic package of 20 million euros will be allocated by the Ministry of Ecological Transition. The plan channels direct support to farmers in Campo de Cartagena, with the expectation that additional buyers will join later. The funds are intended to enable regional farmers to shift toward a production model that reduces fertilizer and pesticide use, minimizes runoff, implements on-farm environmental improvements, and lowers irrigation yields. Even if these targets are achieved, the aid will not flow directly to individuals or corporations.
Biodiversity Foundation, an entity affiliated with the Ministry, and led by an administrator connected to the search, has chosen to dedicate the money to research or pilot projects that involve agricultural organizations, cooperative representatives, universities, state or regional scientific bodies, municipalities, or farming employers, among others. The results from these studies should reach producers who can apply the knowledge in the field without receiving direct financing.
The helpline outlines the recovery plan for the Mar Menor, announcing from the outset the possibility for farmers to access the call. This situation raised concerns among primary sector farmers and employer organizations in the region, who were part of the working group formed to design the aid structure and who held their latest meeting last month.
The call specifies that assistance will be provided for: “executing pilot projects of an experimental nature” and for “demonstrating best practices in agriculture” to “reduce impacts at the source in the Mar Menor watershed.” The design of these aids prompted Hugo Morán, Minister of State for the Environment, to visit the Region of Murcia twice for separate meetings and to indicate potential actions—“parcel by parcel.”
It’s not what was expected
Agricultural organizations consulted with this publication about a change in the intended recipient. COAG states that the initial aim was to “assist farmers” with this money, a point the Ministry reportedly confirmed in early discussions. “It wasn’t what we expected.” Nevertheless, they plan to apply for some of the funds to support a research project with CEBAŞ aimed at reducing field fertilization. UPA notes that the call does not meet the previously stated target, which was to provide direct farmer support. They still see the need for innovation and field research and emphasize the importance of information transfer so producers can adopt best agricultural practices.
4.7 million euros will offset higher fertilizer costs
The Spanish Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, will allocate 4,761,939 euros to the current accounts of 4,519 agricultural business owners in the Region of Murcia on an upcoming Monday. This funding is part of a broader package totaling 280,836,010 euros for beneficiary farmers across all autonomous communities. The investment will be distributed among 234,291 ranchers listed in the definitive registry published by the Spanish Agriculture Guarantee Fund on 31 March.
From the pre-export phase, claims will be submitted to better identify potential buyers, though the draft may raise concerns. The response suggests that linking scientific work to business activity is productive, but the priority remains direct farmer assistance rather than imposing restrictive measures such as those under the Mar Menor regulations or precautionary steps on the aquifer.
Agricultural parks
Offers of 300,000 euros and up to two million euros are available, with a completion deadline no later than 2027. Among the ideas proposed by the Biodiversity Foundation are agricultural parks, along with pilot experiences that reduce pesticide use and water consumption as part of a new productive model for the region.
The Biodiversity Foundation argues that European regulations should apply to this call, noting that direct aid to beneficiaries who can group together would be more efficient. These organizations have the technical capacity and time to manage assistance, enabling larger, transformative projects where farmers benefit through cooperation, with results, dissemination, and information sharing.
The foundation notes that most Campo de Cartagena farmers fall within institutions or organizations at risk. Consequently, the entire Campo de Cartagena farming sector becomes an indirect beneficiary of this line.
COAG calls for a moratorium on a flood of new field regulations
The Coordinator of Farmers and Animal Breeders Organizations of Murcia has asked the Ministry of Agriculture to delay the entry into force of new rules on sustainable phytosanitary and nutritional practices and on farm information systems. The aim is to give farmers time to adapt amid many required changes.
In December 2022, a decree established a new framework to ensure the sustainable use of phytosanitary products and sustainable nutrition in agricultural soils. A separate regulation also set up an information system for agricultural and livestock enterprises, requiring autonomous registration and a digital log of all activities.
José Miguel Marín, head of COAG Murcia, warned that these regulations could heavily impact farm management and agricultural practices by introducing additional costs that many farms may find impractical to bear. He urged a moratorium until September 1, 2023, to allow time to clarify implementation details and avoid financial distress in farming operations.