Neighbors and animal rights activists form a human chain against the Manacor mega-farm

ManacorNeighbors and animal rights activists formed a human chain this Sunday near Son Brau, in Manacor, to demand that the Government stop the 80,000-hen farm that Avícola Son Perot is planning there. With the file still in environmental processing, the opponents wanted to make visible a concern that ranges from animal welfare to water availability and the quality of life of the residents.

"It is not just the smell, the impact goes further," warned Sílvia Llull, spokesperson for the residents of Son Sureda. Water heads their concerns: she denounces that the aquifers are already suffering from nitrate contamination and fears that the operation will aggravate the situation. She also points out the noise of the turbines, possible pests, and the repercussions on the natural environment.

Llull has demanded an assessment of the impact on residents and businesses in the area, among which are agrotourism farms. "Let the technicians look at it, that's what they are there for," she requested. The spokesperson maintains that the neighbors' allegations were prepared with the advice of technicians and engineers: "We haven't made anything up."

The protest, promoted by the 'Macrogranges No' (No Mega-farms) platform, comes after ARDE and Satya Animal filed complaints regarding the conditions of animals at other facilities owned by the business group and delivered 50,000 signatures against the Son Brau project.

ARDE has joined the mobilization with a warning: "They must be stopped before they start operating." The representative of the organization explained that, once a farm is in operation, it becomes much more difficult to get action taken against it. In addition to denouncing the animal suffering they claim to have documented at other farms, the animal rights activists expressed solidarity with the neighbors regarding potential odors and fly plagues.

Regarding the complaints filed this week, ARDE stated that it has the receipt from the Public Prosecutor's Office and that the Department of Agriculture has informed them that it is reviewing the evidence provided in order to investigate them and assess possible sanctions. Regarding the legal actions announced by the company against the complainants, the organization asserts that it only knows of the statement: "We have not yet received anything regarding this matter."

The opponents are now awaiting the Government's pronouncement on a project that has unfavorable municipal technical reports. Meanwhile, the neighborhood warns that it will maintain the pressure. "We don't intend to stop," Llull made clear.