Residents in the vicinity of Collserola Park, in Barcelona, have launched a signature collection campaign on the change.org platform to demand the gradual reopening of this forest space, which they consider key for "physical and mental health" and which remains closed after the detection of African swine fever (ASF) cases.
In the text of the initiative, they recall that "We have gone months without being able to access the Collserola Mountains due to ASF restrictions. We understand the importance of protecting animal health and avoiding health risks. However, the current situation has changed considerably: the presence of wild boars has drastically decreased and, furthermore, there are no large-scale pig farms in the area that could be affected."
They emphasize that thousands of residents from the surrounding municipalities are still unable to enjoy a natural environment that they consider essential for their "physical and mental health" and for their daily well-being.
For this reason, they demand that a gradual and safe reopening of the accesses to the Collserola Mountains be enabled, with adjusted restrictions that also take into account the mental health and well-being of the citizens: "We need to return to the mountains," they insist.
PROPORTIONATE MEASURES
The promoters propose that proportionate measures be applied to those who use the mountain for recreational purposes, and they maintain that it would be more effective to strengthen controls in the vicinity of pig farms, supervising entries, exits, and protocols for personnel and vehicles linked to them.
In this regard, they recall that "Many residents who use the mountain solely for strolling or walking, without contact with livestock farms, have the feeling that general restrictions can be adapted to reconcile health prevention with responsible use of the natural environment."