Spain approves €12.8 million for vineyard upgrades and backs farmers after record wildfire

The regional government of Castilla‑La Mancha approved 49 VINATÏ projects that will receive more than €12.8 million in public aid, driving a total investment of €38.3 million to modernise vineyards and improve competitiveness. Since 2015 the autonomous administration has funded 494 projects, amounting to €473.6 million in total, with €161.9 million of public support. The announcements were made by regional Agriculture Minister Julián Martínez Lizán during a visit to Bodegas Símbolo in Campo de Criptana.

At the national level, Agriculture Minister Luis Planas defended the “immense majority” of farmers and livestock owners who comply with anti‑fire regulations after the Avila wildfire – the largest recent fire in Spain – was linked to a machine hired by a group of ranchers. Planas highlighted the role of agricultural insurance, pledged further state measures, and called for a climate‑emergency pact to protect rural areas.

Both announcements underscore the Spanish government's effort to support the agricultural sector through funding, insurance and policy measures in the face of heightened wildfire risk driven by climate change.