Agents Rurals head announces personnel increase for Lleida

Joan Baraut, the new head of the Regional Area of Agents Rurals in Lleida, has outlined a strategic vision focused on proximity to the primary sector, institutional coordination, and prevention.

A key component of this plan is a significant increase in personnel. The strategic plan aims to more than double the current force in the Ponent region, growing from 80 agents to 170 by the year 2030 to improve response capabilities.

Baraut noted that current operations are constrained by the deployment of agents to manage the African Swine Fever outbreak in Collserola, which requires at least two to three agents from the Lleida region daily. He expressed hope that as the outbreak is brought under control, these resources can return to the local territory to address issues such as rabbit overpopulation.

Additionally, the regional head addressed recent environmental challenges, noting that 17 of the 36 fires recorded in Catalonia during the harvest season occurred in the Lleida demarcation, affecting approximately 700 hectares of agricultural and forest land.