The Office of Rural Affairs of the Consell de Formentera reports that islanders with livestock must file their mandatory declaration for the livestock census by 28 February. Whether producing for profit or self-consumption, all livestock farmers on Formentera must renew their livestock cards (cartilles ramaderes).

"The goal is to plan and guarantee application of appropriate sanitary controls for production animals", said Josep Marí, rural affairs councillor. This includes pigs, sheep, goats, horses and all poultry, including chickens, turkeys and pigeons.

Livestock cards can be renewed at the Office of Rural Affairs (àrea de Medi Rural) in Centre Antoni Tur "Gabrielet" between 9.00am and 2.00pm, Monday through Friday. Farmers must bring their Llibre de Registre d'Explotació with details of breeding animals and animal movement.

In 2022 the Consell offered aid to farmers keeping sheep or goats "to ensure the economic viability of these farms and reduce the risk of abandonment", explained Councillor Marí. Farmers received €50 per eligible animal, including female sheep and goats kept as breeding stock, with the Consell disbursing a total of €13,950 in aid. Farmers can only receive this assistance if they have completed the livestock census declaration.

19 January 2023
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Rural Environment of the Consell de Formentera reports that this week Josep Marí, Marcos Ribas and Carlos Marí (local rural affairs councillor and president and manager of the Formentera Countryside Cooperative [Cooperativa del Camp, CCF], respectively), as well as other CCF members, took part in a trip organised by Cooperatives Agro-alimentàries Illes Balears (CAAIB) to get a first-hand look at the work of cooperatives on Mallorca.

Councillor Josep Marí expressed his satisfaction "because this week the CCF team immersed themselves in Majorcan agriculture and came back with ideas that can be applied to our local countryside". The councillor highlighted the group's tour of Majorcan mills, "now that the project to produce oil in a regulated manner on Formentera is closer to becoming a reality". In this regard, the contract for acquisition of €270,000 in machinery has been awarded and Tragsa is expected to start building the warehouse shortly.

For his part, the CCF president described the main objective of these visits as "sharing experiences and giving Formentera's CCF members a first-hand look at the work of Majorcan coops". He added that the trip had served "to create synergies to collaborate and share knowledge from various experiences".

Visit
Tuesday 13 December, the local contingent visited the University of the Balearic Islands for a tasting of coop produce – part of the CAAIB's Christmas-season showcase of culinary creations by students at the School of Hospitality Balearic Islands (EHIB). Afterwards, the group sat for a talk by chef Claudio Lemos ("Traditional products vs. innovative cuisine") and ended their day with a tasting of coop products.

Wednesday 14 December, the crew visited the Sant Bartomeu Cooperative olive mill in Sóller before dropping in at the coop store. Next, they went to Camp Mallorquí SCL for a look at the almond and carob food industry courtesy of coop president Miquel Gual. In the afternoon, they travelled to Binissalem to visit Grup Fruits Secs and see its oil mill and bakery.

Thursday 15 December, the CCF team visited Mercapalma to see the workings of Agromallorca SAT and get a look at a tomato farm. Finally, they visited the Son Jover cheesemakers and farm.

16 December 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Agriculture of the Consell de Formentera reports that the last of five free courses scheduled in 2022, "Organic Livestock: regulatory aspects and sanitary management", will be held 15 December from 4.00pm and will last four hours. Registration is open now and can be completed at the Citizen Information Office (OAC) or online on the Virtual Citizen Information Office (OVAC) website.

5 December 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Office of Rural Environment has launched a push to curb trichinosis by testing pig meat from animals which were slaughtered domestically.

Trichinosis is a parasitic disease that can be transmitted to humans through raw or undercooked pork, wild boar and horse meat and sausages such as sobrassada which have not been heat-treated. To avoid it, pork from traditional matances should be tested for trichinae.

Formentera residents who wish to have meat tested have until 30 March 2023 to contact the Formentera Office of Agriculture and Livestock (Centre Antoni Tur "Gabrielet"). The office can be reached via email at veterinari@conselldeformentera.cat or, by phone, at 971 321 087.
 
Interested parties can receive material and instructions for taking samples and, afterwards, the Consell de Formentera veterinary service will test slaughtered pig meat for trichinosis to ensure its fitness for home consumption. This service is free of charge.

11 November 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera