A farmer from Seròs, in the Segrià region, has reported the theft of approximately 6,000 kilos of cherries valued at around 20,000 euros from his farm. Francesc Pena detected the theft this Wednesday and reported it to the Mossos d'Esquadra.
The case comes at a time of complaints from the agricultural sector about the recurrence of these types of crimes. In addition to the fruit theft in Seròs, another theft occurred at a vegetable farm belonging to a family business in Montgai, in the Noguera region, while producers maintain that the losses are not limited to the produce itself but also extend to basic work installations.
Anna Coll places the damage to irrigation, fencing, and mulching throughout the year
Farmer Anna Coll has explained that these incidents are not concentrated in a single season but occur throughout the year. In her case, the thefts also cause damage to irrigation systems, mulching, and fencing.
This impact adds costs to farms that are already operating with tight margins. In regions like Segrià and Noguera, the loss of produce and the repair of installations affect the daily viability of the affected farms.
Unió de Pagesos calls for greater coordination between Mossos and Agents Rurals in Lleida
In light of this situation, Unió de Pagesos has called for "greater coordination among security forces and effective measures to end criminal recidivism." The union links this request to the increase in rural thefts and the sense of insecurity among farmers in the region.
The organization plans to meet with Josep Ramon Ibarz, director of the territorial services of the Department of the Interior in Lleida, to demand better coordination between the Mossos d'Esquadra and the Agents Rurals. It will also ask the Department of Justice to strengthen legal mechanisms to prevent the recidivism of those responsible for these thefts.
In Seròs, the report filed by Francesc Pena quantifies the blow at approximately 6,000 kilos of cherries valued at 20,000 euros, a figure that places the economic scope of the theft detected this Wednesday at a single farm.