The Executive of Castilla-La Mancha, through the Ministry of Sustainable Development, has published this Wednesday in the Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha (DOCM) a new call for aid endowed with two million euros, intended to finance preventive actions against the damage caused by the overpopulation of wild rabbits in agricultural operations located in municipalities included in the temporarily declared hunting emergency area in the region.
This support line aims to reduce the impact of this species on crops and reinforce the economic viability of the affected agricultural operations. The aid, regulated by Order 122/2026 and granted through a competitive bidding system, will cover up to 70 percent of the eligible costs, with a maximum subsidizable investment cap of 14,500 euros per application.
Additionally, the advance payment of 50 percent of the granted amount is anticipated, without requiring the presentation of guarantees, in order to expedite the execution of the measures by the beneficiaries, as the Board has indicated in a statement.
Among the actions that may receive funding are the installation of perimeter fencing with rabbit mesh, the placement of individual protectors on woody crops, and the removal of rabbit warrens, which are the shelters used by rabbits. The call sets maximum subsidizable amounts of three euros per linear meter of fencing, 0.80 euros per individual protector, and 200 euros per warren removed.
The Minister of Sustainable Development, Mercedes Gómez, has emphasized that "this aid complements the population control measures being developed in the Autonomous Community and allows for preventive action to reduce damage in the agricultural sector, while simultaneously promoting a balanced and sustainable management of wildlife." Likewise, she has highlighted the continuous coordination between the administrations and the agricultural sector to address a problem that particularly affects certain areas of the community.
The call also incorporates prioritization criteria that give preference to farms located in areas of special sensitivity, such as plots adjacent to road infrastructures, photovoltaic installations, wetlands, livestock routes, or dry watercourses. Likewise, farms located in municipalities affected by depopulation are prioritized, as well as projects that promote equal opportunities.
Complementary to these preventive measures, Castilla-La Mancha maintains various population control actions in the municipalities included in the declaration of temporary hunting emergency.
The latest regional data indicate that the hunting activity carried out within the framework of these measures has allowed for a strong control pressure on the species across the affected territory, with more than 860,000 specimens captured.
One month deadline to apply for the aid from its publication in the DOCM
Those who can benefit from this aid are the holders of agricultural farms, both individuals and legal entities, whose plots are registered in the Agricultural Exploitations Registry of Castilla-La Mancha and are located within the declared territorial scope of hunting emergency.
The deadline for submitting applications will be one month from the publication in the DOCM, and the processing can be done through the electronic headquarters of the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha or through the channels provided in the current regulations.