Catalonia launches emergency rabbit control plan to protect farms

The Catalan Department of Agriculture announced an urgent "shock" programme to curb rabbit overpopulation that is damaging crops across the region, especially in Lleida's Segrià and Urgell comarques. Starting in August, the plan will intensify captures, deploy a permanent field device with additional resources and vehicles, and expand operations in hotspots such as Verdú and Aspa. The Generalitat will renew its contract with the public company Tragsa to maintain specialised culling teams through December 2027 and will work with farmers and hunters to implement preventive measures.

The programme also includes a review of the ZEPA protected‑area zones to address their role as rabbit habitats and a proposal to strengthen insurance coverage for repeated wildlife damage through Agroseguro. Conseller Óscar Ordeig highlighted the shift from reactive to proactive management, aiming for a significant reduction in rabbit density and mitigation of agricultural losses.