Finding a solution for supermarket tomatoes that don’t taste like tomatoes
Sept 29th
Scientists in Valencia are using a technique to cut and paste DNA in a bid to reclaim fruit’s flavour. An old saying in Spanish went: “Tomate con sal, jamón de pobres.,” which roughly translates as “Tomatoes with salt: ham for the poor,” and refers to the superb flavor offered by a simple dish for a rock-bottom cost. But perhaps it’s no surprise that the refrain has fallen out of use, given that supermarket tomatoes no longer taste like tomatoes. In 2014, 170 billion kilograms of tomatoes were produced around the world, according to the United Nations. And the truth is, most of them taste like cardboard. Scientists identified the genetic code responsible for the 13 chemical compounds that give them their taste. These compounds are abundant in traditional varieties, but have nearly disappeared in their commercialized counterparts. The finding is so hopeful that it recently made the cover of Science magazine. They are able to change short sections of the tomato's genome to make desirable mutations. For full story see: El Pais in English
Sixty years since Xàbia and Denia were rivers
24th Sept
Come October 1st it will be sixty years since Xàbia suffered the worst floods in its history. The rain gauges overflowed, so we can never be sure of the exact amount of rain, but it is reckoned to have been close to a metre of rain over three days, and a national record. The port area was severely damaged and at least one person lost their life. A detailed account is given in La Marina Plaza. For more information on Xàbia's floods see: Jávea Floods
Expect November and December to have more intense rain than normal
24th Sept
The rainfall in the Med, and Comunidad Valenciana in particular exhibit a high variability. Periods of drought alternate with very intense rain concentrated in a short time. Experts from the University of Alicante and the Spanish Met Office have warned that these effects are expected to be enhanced with climate change over the next decades, and there is concern that municipalities at risk are not properly prepared. Of the 542 municipalities in the region, 300 are at flood risk, with 50 at serious risk. Many of the recommended infrastructures to mitigate against flood have not been constructed, partially because of the conflicting competence of different agencies. From Las Provincias Sunday 24th Sept. print edition.
Cheaper road tax for electric vehicles in Xàbia
Sept 20th
From 2018 electric vehicles will pay 75% less road tax in Xàbia. This is "the legal maximum allowed" Hybrid vehicles will pay half of what they have been paying so far. According to Mayor Chulvi, "this measure is in tune with our global commitment to sustainability" and therefore "it is necessary to wager on clean technologies and provide facilities to users." The town council has indicated that it is studying the installation of charging points in different areas of the municipality, as well as the reservation of parking spaces. From: Xàbia al Día
Citrus crop down 20% next season, but prices maintained
20th Sept
The forecast of citrus production in the Comunitat Valenciana for the 2017/2018 marketing year stands at 3,143,984 tonnes, which represents a 20% decrease compared to the previous season. The higher yields and lower volume will be due to the natural alternation of citrus cultivation, the reduction of the cultivated area by "2,000 hectares" and the rise of other products such as persimmon. Another reason for this decline in production is the climatic effect, namely the abundant rains at the end of 2016 and the high temperatures in May that affected the setting of the fruit. From: Las Provincias
Yes, it rains more on the Montgó
A map generated from data supplied by Meteoxàbia for the year 2016/2017 shows the distribution of rainfall in the Xàbia municipality.
The Montgó experiences, and generates the most rain, since warm air and clouds are forced to rise over the mountain, generating rainfall.
This year, the Arenal has had unusually low rainfall, perhaps because the light rain on Montgó has not been sufficient to affect this area which lies between two contrasting zones: Montgó to the north and Cap de la Nau to the south, which have had more rain than usual. from La marina Plaza.
279 allegations received about new general Town Plan
Sept 12
As of today, Xàbia has 30 days to resolve nearly 300 allegations that have been submitted to the General Structural Plan (PGE). To date 279 registered lettrs have been received though these may be added to by post sent before September 11. Once the Town Hall resolves the allegations and makes the modifications to the text, it will forward the PGE to the Ministry of the Environment and expects a period of between 4 and 6 months for final approval. from Xabia Town Hall website
Xàbia organises Forum on Sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean
Sept 11
This being the international year of sustainable tourism, Xàbia Town Hall is organising a regional forum entitled: "Mediterrànea Xàbia Forum - Destins Sostenible" in the Parador on 26th and 27th October. This initiative aims to collaborate and exchange ideas with other Mediterranean destinations and share their values, and also examine the threats we face in terms of sustainability (management and conservation of high value natural areas, cultural impact, overcrowding, economic impacts, conflicts of coexistence). The topics selected for this first edition are political, technical, cultural, business, academic and those associated with our environment. The forum will consist of presentations and round tables with invited panelists. Members of the public are invited to sign up to attend either or both days of the forum. See the English language dossier on: http://agenda21-xabia.wikidot.com/mediterranean-forum-2017 Visit the Official website: Mediterranea Xabia Forum
After a long, dry summer, Spain’s drought intensifies
Sept 5th
Cumulative rainfall so far in the hydrological year, which runs from October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017, is down 12%, according to Ana Casals, a spokeswoman for the State Agency of Meteorology (Aemet). This makes 2017 the third driest year, behind 1981 and 2005. Up to 37 of 150 districts in Spain were in an “emergency” situation due to water shortages at the end of June, according to the latest data. This is the most serious level of classification. Water reserves are almost 26% below the average of the last 10 years. For full story see: El Pais in English
Mayor meets residents about proposed northern ring road
Sept 3rd
Mayor José Chulvi and councillor Isabel Bolufer (Town Planning) met with representatives from the homeowners association of Camí Soberana as well as a group of residents who live in Calle Italia, two roads which stood be greatly affected in the draft General Plan (PGOU) which is currently under public consultation. …After listening to the concerns of residents from both zones, the mayor and councillor agreed to reduce the proposed dimensions of these roads which would leave them as one-way streets. In the case of Camí Soberana, the mayor offered the resident's association a solution which would leave the road as it is currently without changing a centimetre. However, the residents acknowledged the need to adapt it to the 21st century and improve its safety with pavements and services such as public lighting and connection to the sewage system. Consequently, the Council will set it out in the PGOU with a maximum width of eight metres and with a layout similar to that which was drawn up for a 1990 plan which was never developed. For full story see: Javeamigos.
Record Tourism in Spain for July
Sept 3rd
July has pulverized all existing tourism records in Spain. Never before have so many foreign visitors arrived in the country in a single month: 10.51 million, compared with the previous record of 10.02 million, which was set in August of last year, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE)…The July record comes on the back of a year-on-year rise of 10.1% in tourist arrivals. Britain remains Spain’s biggest market, with 2.31 million British tourists coming here last month, representing 22% of all foreign visitors. France contributed 1.55 million tourists, and Germany 1.4 million. For full story see:El Pais in English
