The GOB denounces the double language by Matas and the PP relating to the parks (16/5/2000)

Yesterday, the Minister for Environment and President of the Partido Popular, Jaume Matas, showed clearly his opposition to the declaration of natural parks in private property, just as the Mallorcan president of PP, Jaume Font, stated a few weeks ago.

According to the ecological association, it is difficult to enter into so much contradiction: "It turns out that the Balearic Government of the Partido Popular during the years 1992 and 1995 declared natural parks from a series of privately owned areas, and we do not remember that Sr. Matas or Sr. Font opposed that, nor their party. In 1992 the PP Government declared the Mondragó natural park, basically on private properties (90%). Later, in 1995, the Grau de Menorca was declared a natural park mostly on private property. What is the difference from then and now. Before PP governed and now they are in the opposition."

The GOB asks the PP not to commit contradictions and asks the Minister of Environment not to use arguments that enter into contradiction with the protection policy for natural parks that has been carried out in Madrid by UCD, PSOE and PP.

The ecologists think that the future natural park of the Serra Tramuntana or the mountains of Artà are the proper tool to preserve the territory that farmers and owners have conserved properly for years without any help. According to the GOB "It is time for the Administration to take part to give support -- technical, economical and human -- in this administration. As the conservation of natural areas is understood nowadays, it is precisely the private property that most needs the park declaration."