AGP Executive Report

Spain–Pakistan Agricultural Ties: Pakistan’s National Food Security minister met Spain’s ambassador to boost cooperation in agriculture, food security, trade, and modern farm technologies, with Spain backing Pakistan’s International Olive Council membership. Wildfire Aftermath in Southern Spain: Authorities identified 10 of 13 deaths in the Los Gallardos fire and say 10 people remain missing, as extreme heat keeps pressure on emergency services. Canary Islands Public Health & Water: A University of Sassari-linked call warns coastal water quality is worsening into a health risk, citing wastewater mismanagement and brine discharges from desalination. Medicinal Cannabis in Tenerife: The Canary Islands approved its first authorised medicinal cannabis cultivation project on Tenerife, aiming for multiple harvests using natural light. Agri Infrastructure for Storage: Symaga is upgrading feed silos in Spain with higher-strength steel (S450GD) and larger capacities to support modern livestock feeding. Aquaculture Expansion in Galicia: Stolt Sea Farm reported higher Q2 revenue and profit and opened a new sole hatchery in Cervo, boosting land-based recirculating production.

Wildfire Response: Spain’s Los Gallardos blaze in Almería remains the summer’s deadliest, with authorities identifying 10 of 13 fatalities using biological samples; 10 people are still unaccounted for as the fire affected about 70 sq km of forest and farmland. Cross-Border Heat & Fires: In France, the Fontainebleau forest fire near Paris has triggered evacuations of neighborhoods and disrupted trains and highways, with water-dumping planes drawing from the Seine as officials investigate possible arson. Energy & Farms: Murcia hit a major renewables milestone, with solar now supplying over half of the region’s electricity generation in June, as photovoltaic capacity keeps surging. Agri-Trade & Food Supply: Spain’s shrimp imports from Ecuador are rising, raising fresh concerns about mangrove loss tied to expanding shrimp farms. Local Incident: A vegetation fire broke out inside a photovoltaic plant site in Palencia, with two people treated for smoke exposure and fainting.

Wildfire Crisis: Spain’s deadliest blaze in Almería has climbed to 13 deaths, with 10 people still unaccounted for as firefighters battle fast-moving flames across forest and farmland. Heat & Risk: The wider Iberian and European heatwave is driving tinder-dry conditions and worsening wildfire odds, with authorities warning of extreme fire risk. Water & Heritage: A Spanish reservoir study warns drought can boost methane emissions, adding a climate feedback loop as water levels fall. Historic Irrigation Under Threat: Hispania Nostra has added Nerja’s Agua de Hierro aqueduct to its Red List, citing brick decay and missing legal safeguards that could erase links to local farming and sugar industry water systems. EU Agri-Food Politics: Ten EU countries, including Spain, are pushing back against planned cuts to agri-food promotion funding for 2027, warning it could weaken market diversification and operator resilience. Gaza Recovery (Agri-Food Systems): The EU launched the €883.6m “Team Gaza” initiative, explicitly including restoration of agriculture and food systems alongside water, health, and energy.

Wildfire Tragedy in Almería: Spain’s deadliest blaze near Bedar (Andalusia) has killed at least 12 people, with 23 missing; hundreds of firefighters with aircraft are still working as heatwave “tinderbox” conditions keep risk high. Heat & Risk for Farming: The same extreme heat driving the fires is also raising livestock heat-stress concerns and worsening drought impacts across southern Europe. Aquaculture Ethics in Focus: A report says shrimp farms supplying Spain use eyestalk ablation to boost egg production, renewing pressure for welfare-friendly sourcing. Agri-Trade & Food Prices: Analysts warn “climateflation” could push food prices higher as extreme weather hits harvests and supply chains. Policy/Industry Watch: Spain’s agrivoltaic push is moving forward with a national map of projects, while Madrid is also opening a new Innobonos round to back agricultural competitiveness.

Wildfire Crisis in Almería: Firefighters in southern Spain (near Bedar/Los Gallardos) are still battling one of the country’s deadliest blazes, with the toll now at 13 after a 93-year-old woman died in hospital; authorities say many victims—often foreign nationals—did not follow shelter-in-place guidance as the fire surged at extreme speed. Heat and Crop Pressure: Europe’s heatwave is also hitting harvests hard: EU maize production forecasts were cut by about 8% as drought and scorching weather in France push the crop toward its smallest levels in decades. Aquaculture Ethics: Spain is at the center of a growing debate over shrimp imports after reports say some farms use eyestalk ablation to boost reproduction, with animal-welfare groups urging EU action. Food Prices Risk: Economists warn a potentially very strong El Niño could trigger “climateflation,” keeping global food prices under pressure into 2028. Agrivoltaics Push: Spain has launched a national map of agrivoltaic projects, signaling faster rollout of solar farming plans. Market Watch—Rice Flour Trend: Japan’s farm ministry is promoting rice flour for sweets as rice consumption declines, including a Spanish-style polvoron made with rice flour.

Wildfire Crisis in Almería: Spain’s deadliest recent blaze is still burning in the Sierra de los Filabres area, with reports saying at least 12 people have died and 23 are missing as firefighters use helicopters and aircraft and even siphon water from nearby villa pools to keep up with fast-moving flames. Heatwave Pressure on Farming & Land: Officials link the disaster to extreme heat and dry vegetation, with the fire spreading rapidly and scorching forests and farmlands, raising fresh alarms for rural communities and agricultural areas across southern Europe. Evacuation & Safety Focus: Authorities evacuated 1,448 people from 11 zones and say many victims were foreign nationals who did not follow shelter-in-place instructions, while investigations continue into what sparked the fire. Agrifood Angle Abroad: Japan’s farm ministry is pushing rice flour in sweets as rice consumption declines, including a Spanish dessert twist, showing how food demand shifts can reshape farm-linked supply chains.

Wildfire Tragedy in Almería: Spain’s deadliest blaze in years is still burning after killing at least 12 people and leaving 23 missing in the Los Gallardos–Bédar area of Almería, with firefighters using helicopters and water-dropping aircraft and even siphoning water from villa pools as the fire scorched forests and farmlands. Evacuation Lessons: Authorities say many victims died after ignoring shelter-in-place orders, including people who tried to flee on foot or via a dry riverbed described as a “death trap.” Heat-Driven Risk: The disaster is tied to an extreme southern Europe heatwave, with researchers warning fires are starting earlier and spreading faster after a wet winter left extra vegetation that then dried out. Rural Impact: The blaze has already burned thousands of hectares, threatening farmland and local communities while evacuation orders remain in place.

Wildfire Tragedy in Almeria: A fast-moving blaze near Los Gallardos in Andalusia has killed at least 12 people, with 8 injured and 23 missing; authorities say many victims died after ignoring shelter-in-place guidance, including people trying to flee through a dry riverbed that became a “death trap,” while firefighters and military units battle difficult terrain and strong winds. Cause Under Scrutiny: Officials say reports from callers point to a fallen power line sparking the fire, which then spread rapidly through dry scrub, esparto grass and farmland. Heatwave Pressure on Farming Land: The disaster is unfolding amid extreme temperatures across Spain, with thousands of hectares of forest and agricultural land already burned, raising fresh concerns for rural resilience and fire prevention. Hazardous Waste Crackdown: Separately, French-Spanish cooperation with Europol led to arrests over an alleged network smuggling hazardous construction waste from France to Spain, with claims of illegal burial contaminating soil, aquifers and farmland.

Wildfire Tragedy in Andalusia: A fast-moving wildfire near Los Gallardos in Almería has killed at least 12 people and left 23 missing, with victims reportedly trying to flee by car or on foot after ignoring shelter-in-place guidance; authorities say the fire spread through dry scrubland, farmland and woodland, with a dry riverbed turning into a “death trap,” and they suspect a fallen power line as a possible cause. Heat Stress for Livestock: Rising mid-July temperatures are expected to increase heat stress risk for livestock, with producers urged to improve shade, water access and animal comfort to protect fertility and production. EU Grain Hit by Heat: A new EU crop outlook cuts 2026 grain estimates, with maize production revised down sharply (including a downgrade for Spain after late May heat damage). Renewables Permitting Push: Spain published June notices for about 1.76 GW of solar/wind/hybrid projects plus roughly 1 GW of battery storage, with battery systems the biggest category. Agri Business Deal: SanLucar, the Spain-based fruit-and-veg supplier, bought a controlling stake in US berry firm Twin River Berries to expand North America operations.

Wildfire Tragedy in Almería: A fast-moving blaze near Los Gallardos/Bedar has killed 11 people and left 19 missing, with reports that four victims may be British after dying in a right-hand-drive car; officials say many others tried to flee by car or on foot outside evacuation routes as temperatures hit extreme levels. Mar Menor Water Quality: New research warns that 70%-90% of key nutrients reaching the Mar Menor lagoon may be coming from underground flows through seabed sediments, effectively recycling older farm/mining pollution back into the water—raising questions for restoration plans. Heat & Air Pollution Pressure: A new wave of heat is linked to harmful ground-level ozone formation across western Europe, with officials stressing prevention and early action as ozone episodes become hard to stop. Water Activism Reminder: A Cuenca “Fifth River” campaign story highlights ongoing community pressure to protect water sources and páramos, tying local governance to long-term water security.

Agrivoltaics Push: Spain has launched a national map of agrivoltaic projects, aiming to speed up planning for farms that combine solar with crop production. Water & Heat Pressure: With Europe’s record heat back in the spotlight, Spain is also dealing with extreme-temperature alerts and the knock-on effects for agriculture and daily farm operations. Competitiveness Funding: Madrid opened the fifth round of Innobonos to back agricultural competitiveness, targeting innovation and productivity. Livestock & Wine Support: Extremadura and Cantabria are set to receive funding for livestock health measures and wine-sector support, as animal health and quality programs face mounting climate strain. Seeds & Plant Health: Murcia is seeking a phytosanitary alert after seven citrus virus cases, underlining how quickly pests and diseases can move in hot conditions. Policy Backdrop: The Government has launched the State Fertilizer Plan to cut dependence and boost domestic fertilizer production. Industry Signals: JBS has dropped its net-zero by 2040 scope 3 target, a reminder that sustainability commitments in food supply chains are shifting.

Heat & Wildfires: Spain is still dealing with at least 15 major forest fires, with the most delicate situations reported in Castillonroy (Aragón) and Espina de Tremor (Castilla y León), while Catalonia says several blazes are stabilized and La Bisbal d’Empordà is controlled—authorities stress that “stabilized” doesn’t mean out. Agri Innovation Funding: Madrid has opened the fifth round of Innobonos, offering up to €100,000 per project for R&D&I in agriculture, livestock, forestry and agri-food to boost competitiveness, sustainability and digitalization (applications until July 20). EU Disaster Aid: The European Parliament approved €144m from the EU Solidarity Fund for Spain, Romania and Cyprus to recover from 2025 floods, wildfires and heatwaves. Water & Soil Health Research: A University of Córdoba study flags that river water quality can look fine chemically while biological indicators show stress, with microbial diversity dropping in upper/middle sections—pointing to possible agricultural and tributary impacts.

Heat & Water Stress: Spain is facing another round of extreme temperatures across Europe, with record-breaking heat in June and knock-on risks for food, water, transport, energy and health systems. Strawberry Safety Watch: A new PAN Europe study with NGOs finds Spanish strawberries among the least contaminated in the EU, with only two pesticide residues in one conventional sample and no residues in organic samples. EU Fisheries Rule Push: The EU is pressing ICCAT to tighten driftnet restrictions in the Mediterranean to better define and enforce bans on nets that catch protected marine wildlife. Agri-Food Trade: The revamped EU–Mexico partnership cleared the European Parliament, easing tariffs on EU agri-food exports like cheese, pork and poultry, while urging vigilance on sensitive fisheries and tuna processing. Livestock Policy: The European Commission presents its Livestock Strategy, aiming to steer animal health and production rules amid new threats. Ocean Economy Pressure: Reports highlight warming seas and wreck damage squeezing Mediterranean fishing communities, with nets torn and fleets shrinking.

Water & Infrastructure: Spain’s acting agriculture minister says the Alcolea dam’s in-force Environmental Impact Statement already includes corrective steps for acidity from the Mining Basin, warning the process can’t be delayed or the declaration could lapse. Heat & Fire Risk: Spain is facing extreme fire pressure after the first half of 2026 saw the biggest EU surface-loss from forest fires, with active hotspots tracked via NASA FIRMS-style maps and warnings that many detections may not be true forest burns. CAP Funding for Health & Wine: Spain’s sectoral agriculture conference approved €132.33m for animal/plant health and CAP wine measures, including €62,152 for Cantabria and over €11.3m for Extremadura, plus pest-prevention support. Livestock Strategy: The European Commission unveiled a Livestock Strategy aimed at making the sector more resilient and competitive while addressing sustainability and crisis readiness. Local Sector Pressure: Murcia is seeking a phytosanitary alert after seven citrus virus cases, as growers brace for further spread. Ag Tech & Early Warning: WiseLake says it has launched an AI-assisted early-warning platform for pig farms to help manage risk sooner.

EU Livestock Strategy: The European Commission unveiled a new Livestock Strategy aimed at making cattle, sheep and goat farming more resilient, competitive and sustainable, with priorities ranging from crisis readiness to fair incomes and innovation. CAP Funding for Health & Wine: Spain’s autonomous regions have been allocated €132.33m for animal and plant health plus CAP wine measures; Cantabria gets €62,152 and Extremadura more than €12m, including vineyard restructuring and pest prevention. Extreme Heat & Fires: Spain is facing severe summer conditions, with Meteosalud placing over half of forecast zones at health risk and Copernicus data showing forest fires have already burned 50,384 hectares in the first half of 2026, with active blazes in areas like Catalonia and Andalusia. Soil Health Push: A Vigo-led EU project is building a business case for restoring soil health, arguing it can be profitable for farmers and investors—not just an environmental goal. Horticulture Exports Watch: Murcia remains Spain’s top brassica exporter (65% of export value in 2025), while Spanish cherries have made a first trial shipment to Shanghai under strict cold-treatment rules. Market Signals: Hog futures stay weak amid African swine fever concerns in Spain and shifting China supply dynamics, while El Niño forecasts point to record-strength heat that could disrupt agriculture across regions.

State Fertilizer Plan: Spain’s government has launched a new State Fertilizer Plan aimed at producing “more and better” while cutting external dependence, with work expected to be ready in Q1 2027 and a focus on precision agriculture plus stronger strategic autonomy. Rural Renewal: Origen España is pushing for generational replacement in the agri-food sector, calling for better specialized training, support for young people, and less red tape for life in the countryside. Water & Heat Pressure: With heatwaves hitting Europe, France reports higher water use and widespread restrictions, with rural and agricultural areas hit hardest—another reminder that water planning is becoming part of farm risk management. Wildfire Disruption: A major wildfire in southern France led Tour de France organizers to ban fans from part of the route, while nearly 700 firefighters battled blazes near the Spanish border. Agri-legal Aid Rules: Spain’s civil protection framework for wildfire compensation highlights the key steps for residents seeking public aid, including official emergency recognition and proof of assessable, fire-caused damage. Aquaculture Supply Shock: A global anchovy shortage is raising alarms for fishmeal-dependent aquaculture, with knock-on risks for seafood supply and prices.