Spain and Portugal in Water Fight
Portugal has accused Spain of stealing its water as the two Iberian countries battle a drought that has seriously reduced levels in rivers flowing across their border.
Portugal has accused Spain of stealing its water as the two Iberian countries battle a drought that has seriously reduced levels in rivers flowing across their border.
Portugal has demanded €6m (£4m) in compensation from Spain after levels of water in the Douro river have fallen below limits established in a bilateral agreement. The source of many of Portugal's big rivers start in Spain.
Portugal is experiencing its worst drought for 60 years, with reserves along the Douro down to around 50% just as the summer starts.
Other parts of the country are suffering more, with reserves along the Arade river in the southern Algarve down to 12%, according to government figures last month.
Spanish officials have admitted that they have probably broken the 1998 agreement intended to stop bickering over water.
"It is probable that we will have to pay," Jaime Palop, Spain's director general of water, admitted to El País newspaper yesterday.
The Portuguese government has promised to start paying out compensation to farmers this week for losses caused by the drought.
Portugal has demanded €6m (£4m) in compensation from Spain after levels of water in the Douro river have fallen below limits established in a bilateral agreement. The source of many of Portugal's big rivers start in Spain.
Portugal is experiencing its worst drought for 60 years, with reserves along the Douro down to around 50% just as the summer starts.
Other parts of the country are suffering more, with reserves along the Arade river in the southern Algarve down to 12%, according to government figures last month.
Spanish officials have admitted that they have probably broken the 1998 agreement intended to stop bickering over water.
"It is probable that we will have to pay," Jaime Palop, Spain's director general of water, admitted to El País newspaper yesterday.
The Portuguese government has promised to start paying out compensation to farmers this week for losses caused by the drought.
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