SEO/BirdLife again asks that the Rally de Los Volcanes not be held "for harming birds"

The environmental organization SEO/BirdLife has insisted this Friday in warning of the "risk posed to the Canary Islands houbara and other species" by the celebration of the 23rd edition of the Rally de Los Volcanes, in Lanzarote, for which it has requested that it not be held.

In a statement, the environmental group has reported that it will request the report of non-affectation to the protected space in which the test will take place.

After learning the route of the test, it has warned that several sections cross key areas for the houbara, a bird classified as in danger of extinction, and that at this time it has already begun its reproductive cycle, which fears that "significant disturbances will occur to this species, contravening current regulations."

Likewise, SEO/BirdLife highlights that "the same circumstances exist that led to the non-authorization of the rally in April 2022, when the organizing committee of the test was forced to suspend it due to the lack of authorization from the Cabildo of Lanzarote as a result of the potential impact anticipated by two reports from the Government of the Canary Islands."

These reports warned of the risk of causing significant damage to the houbara and other steppe birds, such as the Saharan courser or the stone-curlew, in a key period of their biology.

In this regard, SEO/BirdLife stresses that the same conditions exist that justified the non-realization of said sporting event and that some of the most problematic sections for the houbara have been maintained in their entirety, such as Yaiza-Tías and Tinajo-Las Betancoras.

The group points out that Law 42/2007 on Natural Heritage and Biodiversity establishes the specific prohibition of any action taken with the purpose of killing, capturing, persecuting or disturbing them, as well as the destruction or deterioration of their nests, burrows and places of reproduction, wintering or rest.

In addition, they add that the law establishes a sanctioning regime for non-compliance, with penalties that could reach 200,000 euros, in the event that the infractions were considered serious or two million euros for very serious infractions.

In relation to the spaces that are part of the Natura 2000 Network, this same law indicates in its article 46 that any plan, program or project that, without having a direct relationship with the management of the place or without being necessary for it, may significantly affect the species or habitats of the aforementioned spaces, either individually or in combination with other plans, programs or projects, will be subject to an adequate assessment of its repercussions on the space, recalls SEO/BirdLife

In addition, it emphasizes that the Red Book of Birds of Spain of 2021 indicates that the circulation on dirt tracks or cross-country and soil erosion due to activities carried out by motor vehicles constitute two of the main threats affecting the species.