The devastation caused by roe deer and the lack of generational succession put at risk the production of beans Santa Pau (Garrotxa). This legume is one of the most prized in Catalonia and has a Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) own. In fact, the guild reminds us that this is the only distinction of its kind in the whole region of La Garrotxa and that it is also one of the most important attractions for this small town, along with the Jordà beech forest. The problem is that deer stir and crush the crops and damage the product. To all this, we must add that there is less and less importance among producers and this makes us fear that this tradition will be lost.
The DOP acknowledges that they are “concerned” that the job will not be lost and points out that for now it is “difficult to find” this generational handover that should guarantee the survival of the Santa Pau bean. The member of the denomination and producer Montserrat Miralles, points out that this is a problem that affects “the entire agricultural sector.” “If we don’t find young people who want to do it, there is a possibility that in the end the production of Santa Pau beans will be lost,” he said.
But the lack of relief is compounded by a problem with roe deer. And it is that this animal damages the crops and this has been noticed especially in the last years in which the number of specimens in La Garrotxa has grown. Miralles explains that if the roe deer gnaws and eats the plant when it is young, it is an added problem because a new one has to be replanted. If it does so when the plant can continue to grow, the problem is that it is still green when the rest are already dry and causes them a “headache”. To remedy this, the DOP is committed to obtaining aid to be able to put electric fences that prevent the action of the animal.
All this has led to a drop in the production of a highly prized vegetable that, at the same time, is an attraction for Santa Pau, a small town close toOlot. In fact, a new edition of the Bean Fair of Santa Pau, after being suspended by the pandemic. The mayor of the municipality, Josep Company, points out that this is a “key” event for the people and that it generates economic activity. “The restaurants are full, the rural tourism houses and the producers can sell at the fair. It is important that we have recovered it because if we did not run the risk of not doing it again “, Company remarked.
“Neither good nor bad”
Miralles explained that this year’s harvest was “neither good nor bad” in terms of quantity. In fact, Santa Pau beans are a high quality product and growers are forced to throw away those legumes that come out stained. Miralles explains that at the beginning of September, when the first beans began to be harvested, it rained heavily in La Garrotxa. This caused many beans to come out stained or rotten and had to be discarded. All this has affected a production that has been declining in recent years.