Spain burns fields to kill Rodent Plague
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Spain burns fields to kill Rodent Plague*
Field voleFarmers say they have never seen a vole plague like this one
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 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.
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.