The food and beverage industry in Spain is seeking priority access to water due to the ongoing drought in the country, which could potentially lead to product shortages. The Federation of Food and Beverage Industries (FIAB) has highlighted the significant impact of high temperatures and reduced rainfall on agriculture, livestock, and the food processing sector.
According to FIAB, the lack of rainfall has caused a serious situation, and immediate action is required. The trade body has called upon the government to invest in storage and irrigation infrastructure to address the water scarcity. Mauricio GarcÃa de Quevedo, the general director of FIAB, emphasized the need for the industry to have privileged access to water to ensure a stable and secure supply of food and beverages.
The FIAB further stated that manufacturers in the industry have already been implementing measures to reduce water consumption without compromising hygiene or food safety standards. However, the association encourages the promotion of alternative water resources such as reuse and desalination, as well as the development of a new hydrological plan to optimize water management between basins.
In a recent report by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), it was revealed that 44% of the combined territory of the EU and the UK is currently facing a “warning” drought level, with an additional 9% at an “alert” level. The severity of these figures highlights the urgent need for interventions to mitigate the impact of drought.
The JRC report specifically identifies areas in France, western Germany, several Mediterranean regions including parts of Italy and Greece, and Romania as highly affected by the drought hazard. This emphasizes the importance of addressing water scarcity not only in Spain but also across Europe.
To tackle the challenges posed by the drought, the Spanish government has already initiated a €2.2 billion ($2.4 billion) plan to support farmers and prevent food shortages. This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s agricultural sector.
