The Campo Branco farmers’ association, from Portugal’s Alentejo region of Castro Verde, want the government to “urgently declare a state of emergency” due to the drought, writes Lusa. They having already sent a letter to this effect to the minister of agriculture. Head of the association António Aires explains: “Our Spanish neighbours have received more aid than us and are asking Brussels for more aid to deal with this situation. We hope that Portugal will also make these requests (…) The lack of fodder, hay and straw will lead to situations where herds will be reduced, or even where people will have to give up their herds due to a lack of aid,” he warned.
