Union of Unions of Farmers and Ranchers, given the data published by various studies that highlight a reduction in emissions in the last 15 days, points out that this shows that the agri-food sector - sometimes excessively criminalized - is not the main responsible for air pollution or climate change.

Union of Unions echoes the study carried out by researchers from the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) on the evolution of nitrogen dioxide emissions (NO₂) in the main Spanish cities, and highlights the reduction of 64% while agriculture and livestock have continued their activity.

Union of Unions echoes this study that demonstrates and highlights the reduction of NO emissions₂ that has occurred between the period from 10 to 14 and from 15 to 20 March as a result of the measures imposed by the Government regarding the limitation of the mobility of citizens.

This gas, whose main source is transportation - represents 82,3% of total state emissions - very directly affects air quality, mainly in cities, due to the agglomeration of vehicles.

Likewise, the European Space Agency released images on March 13 that already confirmed the significant decrease in nitrogen dioxide emissions in Italy and was already beginning to be clearly seen in Spain.

In addition to NO₂, transport emits 99,2% of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in Spain, a powerful atmospheric pollutant produced by the combustion of fossil fuels. In addition, transportation represents 26,1% of total state greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions - particularly in the form of carbon dioxide (CO₂) -, which contribute significantly to global warming and maintain an upward pace since 2012.

For its part, the agricultural sector, which continues to maintain its activity during these difficult times, emits 11,6% of GHG emissions, less than half of what the transport sector emits and with a strategic role in supplying food, which shows that it is not responsible for climate change.

Despite this, the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC), which sets the path for reducing emissions for the next 10 years, contemplates a reduction of emissions for the agricultural sector of 12% by 2030 compared to 1990, while for transport it is limited to a scant 2,5%.

"This crisis should make us reflect on the priorities for reducing emissions in the long term and the sectors that must face more efforts" insist from Union of Unions. "The state agri-food sector fulfills a fundamental task such as producing food for the population, so realistic objectives must be set that do not compromise such work," they conclude.

The organization also highlights the great effort that has been made from the sector in recent years in terms of emissions, reducing in the period 1990-2018 98% of those from burning stubble and 50% of limestone amendments, indicating a clear improvement in agricultural practices and a commitment by the sector in the task of reducing emissions.