No compensation to deal with the damage caused by the drought, for the farmers of Capoterra: the Municipality did not declare a state of disaster in time and not even a single euro will arrive from the Region. The long list of municipalities that will receive compensation does not include that of Capoterra, a cold shower for the few shepherds - some of whom own several hundred sheep - who will not be able to benefit from any contribution for the dry months of 2024. Emilio Arrais, owner of a flock of over a hundred heads, hopes that - after the mistake - the municipal administration will take action: "We had a meeting with the mayor, we were promised that the Municipality is ready to do its part. That regional contribution for us, after the difficulties suffered especially in the summer months, would have been a breath of fresh air . The farmers in Capoterra, now, are about ten, but some have up to almost four hundred sheep: we hope the promised compensation will arrive soon".
Criticism from the minority, which through the voice of councilors Francesco Dessì and Silvano Corda, invites the mayor to find a solution as soon as possible. "Capoterra boasts a great tradition in the livestock sector", says Dessì. "There are now few shepherds left: the Municipality has the duty to defend them in every way, not presenting the request to Laore to obtain compensation for the drought was a serious mistake ". Corda, on the other hand, asks the Council to open the purse strings and allocate a contribution for the breeders: "Since they will not be able to benefit from regional economic support, it is right that we draw from budget funds to help the shepherds, this does not change the fact that a municipal administration cannot make such gross errors ".
Gianluigi Marras, Councilor for Agriculture, clarifies the situation: « We declared a state of disaster on September 11 , there are other municipalities left out of the list of compensation. We are trying to understand – given that the emergency has been extended by the Region until the end of the year – if there is the possibility of obtaining something anyway. In any case, we will not abandon our shepherds». The mayor, Beniamino Garau, opens up to the possibility of compensation by drawing on the municipal budget: «At the beginning of next year there will be the possibility of participating in a new call for tenders, in the meantime , who have been hit hard by the drought».
