The Los Realejos City Council has given initial approval to a pioneering ordinance in the Canary Islands for the installation and operation of livestock farms. The regulation aims to promote local livestock production, boost rural development, and ensure the activity's compatibility with the environment, environmental protection, neighborly coexistence, public health, and animal welfare.
Mayor Adolfo González explained that the regulation seeks to organize the activity and promote its continuity and professionalization. Meanwhile, the Councilor for Rural Development, Alexis Hernández, detailed that the document, published in the Official Gazette of the Province (BOP) of Santa Cruz de Tenerife this Friday, November 13, will be sent to key livestock entities in the Canary Islands, such as COAG, ASAGA, PALCA, and AGATE.
The ordinance stipulates that livestock activity must comply with the municipality's General Planning Plan and permitted land uses. Six regulatory areas have been defined with different conditions for establishing new farms or maintaining existing ones, allowing new installations based on location, type of livestock, and farm size.
Farms are regulated by their capacity, measured in large livestock units (LLU): self-consumption (up to 1 LLU), complementary (1-25 LLU), professional (Type A: 25-70 LLU; Type B: 70-200 LLU), and industrial (over 200 LLU). Farms must meet urban planning conditions, obtain relevant municipal permits, and be registered in the regional livestock registry where mandatory.
The regulation also specifies possible locations for livestock facilities, establishing minimum distances from population centers and other farms, as well as conditions for buildings, access, and auxiliary installations. In terms of hygiene, environment, and animal welfare, proper management of manure, slurry, and waste is required to prevent soil and water contamination. Measures are also mandated to prevent odors, noise, and pest proliferation, along with requirements for water, housing, feeding, monitoring, and animal health conditions, as well as occupational safety and health measures.
