Caravaca pig farm expansion sparks fears over Murcia’s water supplies

Environmental campaigners challenge plans to increase a local farm’s capacity to 6,000 pigs, calling for a regional halt to further intensive livestock developments

A proposed expansion of a pig farm in Caravaca de la Cruz has prompted calls for tighter controls on intensive livestock farming in the Region of Murcia, with environmental campaigners warning that precious groundwater supplies could come under further pressure.

Ecologistas en Acción has lodged formal objections to plans for the farm at Las Lumbreras, in the district of La Almudema, which would increase its capacity to 6,000 fattening pigs.

The organisation is concerned about the amount of water the enlarged installation would need, particularly as the farm draws its supplies from underground sources. With the Region facing long-term drought and declining groundwater reserves, campaigners argue that any increase in extraction deserves scrutiny.

They have also raised concerns about air pollution, unpleasant smells and how the large volumes of slurry and manure produced by the animals would be managed. These waste products can contribute to nitrate contamination when they are not properly controlled.

Another issue is whether the environmental assessment fully considers the farm's combined impact alongside other livestock installations in the surrounding area. Ecologistas en Acción says assessing each project in isolation could overlook the cumulative pressure on local natural resources.

The organisation has submitted its objections to the regional Directorate General of Livestock, Fisheries and Aquaculture.

It wants the regional government to introduce a moratorium on new intensive industrial livestock farms and expansions of existing ones, arguing that the sector needs better planning and stronger measures to limit pollution.

The group also believes greater use of available technology could help reduce emissions into the air and water.

Ammonia emissions are a particular concern, alongside nitrate pollution affecting groundwater and other bodies of water. The organisation has also warned about the potential risk of antimicrobial resistance associated with antibiotic use in livestock production.

Ecologistas en Acción claims intensive livestock farming accounts for 92% of ammonia emissions in Spain and says these emissions are continuing to rise.

According to figures cited in its objections, the Region of Murcia ranks third among Spanish provinces for the number of large intensive livestock farms, behind Lleida and Huesca. The organisation says at least one such installation operates in 20 municipalities across the Region, representing 44.4% of the total.

For the environmental group, the proposed Caravaca expansion is part of a much bigger question about how Murcia balances livestock production with the need to protect its water supplies and surrounding environment.

Image: AI