Alentejo: growers association warns of olive theft and reinforcement means.
The Olivum-Association of South growers went public demand "more supervision of olive reception stations", as a way to combat the thefts that institution states "have been increasing in the Alentejo".
In a statement to Olivum alert the competent authorities to "act effectively", condemning the operation of "questionable character of olive reception stations that accept all kinds of fruit, undocumented and dubious provenance ", situation denounced by associated growers, representing more than 32 hectares of olive groves in the Alentejo, the vast majority district of Beja.
"Only by controlling the documentation and the delivery of the olive reception stations and mills it will be possible to stop the thefts", justifies Olivum.
Without quantifying kilos of stolen olives from the start of the campaign, Olivum condemns the thefts that have occurred in the Alentejo olive trees since the campaign began 2018/2019, which runs until mid-February next year.
It is recalled that the National Republican Guard (GNR) It has been going on since the past day 29 October and even 31 January 2019, Operation "Field Insurance", having enhanced policing, with the launch of horseback patrols.
Alongside GNR held several awareness actions directed to the owners of olive groves and mills, in order to avoid possible olive thefts.
According to Olivum, its members have produced over 400 million olive in olive cultivation campaign 2017/2018, contributing over 250 million for the national product.
No district Beja, where the olive is greater extent due to irrigation alqueva, the campaign 2017/ 2018, Territorial Command Beja GNR seized 4.592 kilograms of olive stolen property in the region. The GNR arrested 117 people, identified 232 and passed 318 contraordenações.
The biggest olive theft and recovery occurred on 13 December 2017, near Baleizão, county Beja, when the military detected a vehicle of goods, carrying 1.250 kilos of olives.
Teixeira Correia
(journalist)
