Extremadura approves aerial campaign against the rice stink bug

The General Directorate of Agriculture and Livestock of the Junta de Extremadura has approved the official phytosanitary treatment campaign against the rice bug for the year 2026, declaring the fight against this pest to be of public utility. The resolution, signed on August 12, 2026, by the general director Julio Antonio Rojas Pastor, is published in the Official Gazette of Extremadura number 159, dated August 18, 2026, with reference 2026062155.

The decision responds to the notable increase in the density of the rice bug (Eysarcoris ventralis West) detected in recent weeks by the integrated pest management advisors of the Technical Plant Health Groups (ATESVE), under the coordination of the Plant Health Service. The campaign will be carried out in the rice-growing areas of the Vegas del Guadiana and the Regadíos del Alagón, using manned aircraft and drones.

Origin and scope of the campaign

The initiative stems from the request submitted on July 9, 2026, by Cooperativas Agroalimentarias Extremadura, an entity that predominantly represents the regional rice sector by integrating nine cooperatives, three of which are second-degree, accounting for approximately 65% of the region’s rice production, around 18,000 hectares in years of maximum cultivation.

The resolution is based on Decree 138/1994, of December 13, which regulates official phytosanitary campaigns in Extremadura, and Law 43/2002, of November 20, on Plant Health, which allows the fight against a pest to be declared of public utility. Aerial applications are subject to Royal Decree 1311/2012, of September 14, on the sustainable use of plant protection products.

Municipalities and obligations of rice farmers

The campaign affects 25 municipal districts listed in Annex I of the resolution:

• Acedera, Alcollarin, Almoharin, Campo Lugar, Don Benito, Escurial, Guareña, Guijo de Galisteo, La Zarza, Logrosán, Madrigalejo, Medellín, Mengabril, Miajadas, Montehermoso, Navalvillar Pela, Puebla Alcocer, Rena, Riolobos, Santa Amalia, Valdetorres, Valverde Mérida, Villagonzalo, Villanueva Serena and Villar de Rena.

Disinsectization will be mandatory for owners whose farms exceed the threshold of one insect per square meter, a criterion established by the Order of August 3, 2007, on integrated rice production. Those who opt for ground treatment by their own means must notify the General Directorate within ten days of publication. The Plant Health Service will notify city councils and beekeeping associations at least two days in advance.

Environmental protection measures

Annex II incorporates the corrective measures from the impact report on the Natura 2000 Network issued by the Directorate General for Hunting, Fishing, Aquaculture, Bullfighting, and Natural Environment. Among these, the following stand out:

• Untreated safety buffers of 100 meters in natural watercourses and 50 meters in artificial ones.
• Exercise extreme caution in the SPAs (Special Protection Areas) of Llanos de Zorita, Embalse de Sierra Brava and Vegas del Ruecas, Cubilar, and Moheda Alta.
• Treat only during the early hours of the morning and late hours of the afternoon, with wind speeds below 3 m/s.
• Do not fly over population centers, beekeeping settlements, or organic crops.
• Respect safety deadlines and prohibit the dumping of waste into public watercourses.

Non-compliance is subject to the inspection and sanction regime of Title IV of Law 43/2002. The resolution, which does not exhaust administrative remedies, may be appealed via an administrative appeal (recurso de alzada) before the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Natural Environment within one month.

The campaign represents a decisive reinforcement to protect the main rice production of Extremadura, whose quality is depreciated by the necrotic mark caused by the pudenta on the grain, and guarantees farmers a coordinated framework with environmental safeguards against a clearly expanding pest.

Source: Official Gazette of Extremadura, number 159, August 18, 2026, section III (official reference: 2026062155).