The Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge has published in the BOE a call for aid endowed with 11,5 millones de euros to boost the ecological transition of the livestock sector in the Mar Menor watershed. Management will be the responsibility of Biodiversity Foundation and the initiative is integrated into the Line 6 of the MAPMM, the Framework of Priority Actions for the Recovery of the Mar Menor.
The support package aims improve environmental performance of the farms, with special attention to intensive farming, and to support the extensive and semi-extensive livestock farming from the Campo de Cartagena. The projects must include participation of the scientific field to guide actions, evaluate results and facilitate the transfer of knowledge to the territory.
What does the call for proposals fund?
The call for proposals outlines three main lines of action that allow for addressing impact reduction from different angles, with the aim of minimize the polluting potential associated with livestock activity in the basin.
- Support for extensive or semi-extensive livestock farming and promotion of economic diversification in the territory.
- Changes in the management of intensive farms to reduce the environmental impact, with a special focus on the production and treatment of slurry.
- Improved waste and slurry management through treatment solutions that reduce its polluting load.
In addition to material investments, proposals that integrate sustainable management practicesEnvironmental monitoring and awareness-raising activities that help consolidate new work routines on the farm.
Who can apply and deadlines
The aid is aimed at projects that operate in the Mar Menor watershed, with a funding range per initiative of between 300.000 and 2 million eurosThe intensity of assistance can reach up to 90% of the budget and the implementation will have a horizon of 36 months.
Following its publication in the BOE, the The application period will open on Monday, November 3rd. and it will close January 13, 2026The application process and complete terms and conditions will be available on the website of the Biodiversity Foundation, where the evaluation criteria, required documentation and selection process are detailed.
Among the requirements, the following is emphasized: involvement of scientific and technical teams to ensure the rigor of the actions and facilitate robust monitoring, as well as the alignment with the objectives of the MAPMM and the current regulations regarding water and the protection of the Mar Menor.
Supervision and control in the Campo de Cartagena
Alongside these subsidies, the strengthening of control of livestock farms in the Campo de Cartagena, framed within the Line 1.5 of the MAPMM. The Segura Hydrographic Confederation (CHS) Since 2022, it has intensified the monitoring of surface and groundwater and the inspection of farms through photointerpretation and on-site visits.
To date, there have been inspected 450 farms, of which the 58% presents reports on natural waterproofing in accordance with Law 3/2020, and a 26% It has artificial waterproofing. Around the 88% of farms have completed or are in the process of their environmental assessment and have 65 cases closed due to spills.
These actions aim to reduce the input of nutrients and contaminants to the lagoon and function as a complement to the new line of aid, by encouraging investments that correct the sources of pressure identified in the territory.
Relationship with other public actions
The call is in addition to the 14,8 millones de euros already awarded by the Biodiversity Foundation a 10 agricultural demonstration projects to reduce the impact at the source in the watershed. One of them, promoted by the Cartagena City Council and valued at 1,8 million, was finally resigned, with the rest remaining in execution.
The focus is on moving towards a compatible production model with the recovery of the ecosystem, favoring agricultural and livestock practices that reduce pressure on the Mar Menor and generate environmental and economic benefits in the medium and long term.
With this new line of financing, the Government is promoting the ecological transition of the livestock sector in the Mar Menor basin, it offers certainty about amounts, deadlines and requirements, and strengthens the link between investment, applied science and administrative control so that changes in farms translate into real improvements on the ground.
