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Spain burns fields to kill voles | Spain burns fields to kill voles |
(30 minutes later) | |
A plague of field voles in central Spain has led the authorities to resort to controlled burning of fields. | A plague of field voles in central Spain has led the authorities to resort to controlled burning of fields. |
The measure is only permitted by the European Union in exceptional cases. | The measure is only permitted by the European Union in exceptional cases. |
The fires were started on Wednesday in the Valladolid area of Castilla-Leon region, to prevent the rodents devastating beet and potato crops. | The fires were started on Wednesday in the Valladolid area of Castilla-Leon region, to prevent the rodents devastating beet and potato crops. |
Agricultural officials say they are not sure what caused the surge in vole numbers. Fields will also be burnt soon in Avila, Palencia and Segovia. | Agricultural officials say they are not sure what caused the surge in vole numbers. Fields will also be burnt soon in Avila, Palencia and Segovia. |
The farm union COAG says about 400,000 hectares of land (988,000 acres) is affected by the infestation, Reuters news agency reports. | The farm union COAG says about 400,000 hectares of land (988,000 acres) is affected by the infestation, Reuters news agency reports. |
Castilla-Leon's Agriculture Minister, Silvia Clemente, said agronomists, veterinarians and biologists had been asked to explain the plague but nobody really knew, she told Spain's Cadena Ser radio. | |
"There has never been a plague like the one we have now," she said. |
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