FENACORE (National Federation of Irrigation Communities) is urging a revision of hydrological planning to address the investment deficit in infrastructure and ensure food production.
Irrigators advocate for a National Water Pact to shield hydrological plans from political interference and radical environmentalism. Representing over 700,000 farmers across Spain, FENACORE stresses the need to learn from the lessons of extreme weather events like the recent DANA (isolated high-impact storms). The organization highlights a €3 billion investment deficit in hydraulic works that jeopardizes water availability for irrigation and, consequently, food production.
FENACORE urgently calls for the construction of 27 reservoirs included in the hydrological plans approved by the government in January 2023. These projects are expected to mitigate the impacts of droughts and floods, such as those caused by DANA.
This appeal follows the announcement by the Directorate General for Water initiating the public consultation period for the review of hydrological plans for the 2028-2033 cycle. This process affects several hydrological demarcations, including Cantábrico Occidental, Guadalquivir, Segura, Júcar, and others.
Time to submit proposals to defend irrigation
FENACORE is calling on all Basin Federations and Irrigation Communities to use the current review of hydrological plans—set to conclude by December 31, 2027, with the approval of the 2028-2033 plans—as an opportunity to submit proposals defending irrigation interests.
The Federation points out that 29.2% of general-interest hydraulic infrastructure projects remain unbuilt, despite having received approval and all required reports.
Opposition to political interference
FENACORE emphasizes the need for hydrological plans free from political and ideological interference, ensuring that irrigators’ opinions are considered.
Such an approach would enable the state to fully exercise its constitutional competencies over the management of public hydraulic domains and the planning of inter-community basins, safeguarding the general interest as mandated by the Spanish Constitution.
The Federation reminds stakeholders that the initial documents prepared by the corresponding river basin authorities will remain available for public consultation for six months, until June 20, 2025, on their official websites as announced in the Spanish Official Gazette (BOE). During this period, anyone can submit proposals, observations, and suggestions.
Concerns over environmental prioritization
In the context of presenting the first Action Plan Against DANAs, FENACORE recommended reallocating the €2.5 billion budget of the National River Restoration Strategy—intended for dismantling dams—towards building new hydraulic infrastructure.
Irrigators have expressed concerns that the new hydrological planning cycle will continue prioritizing environmental policies, such as restoring rivers to their natural regimes, along with increasing ecological flows.
Assessment of ecological flows
FENACORE confirms that Ministry officials have committed to ensuring that the new hydrological plans adhere to the required procedures under current legislation, including a prior assessment of the economic and social impacts of implementing ecological flows.
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According to Juan Valero de Palma, President of FENACORE:
“The start of the review of hydrological plans marks the time to submit proposals to defend irrigation, address the investment deficit in hydraulic works, and ensure water for everyone, including irrigators. As this fourth planning cycle begins, we have the opportunity to change what we don’t agree with. As the recent DANA has unfortunately demonstrated, the opinions of irrigators cannot be ignored in proper hydrological planning. This planning cycle must focus on sustainable hydraulic works that save lives and provide a fair, orderly, and stable water future for Spain.”
