REFUSE GAS COMPANIES TO ENTER YOUR HOUSE

Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Once again we have different gas companies knocking on everyone's door to make the gas revision. We have received many complaints informing us that they intend by all means to get into the house saying that it is compulsory to make the gas revision and if you do not do it you will have many problems. They also charge extremely high prices once they have managed to convince you to let them in your house.

Say no and do not let them into your house.

The gas revision is to be done every 5 years but with the company that you choose and have phoned previously to make an appointment for them to come to your house.

In Nerja we have 2 gas companies with an office where you can contact them or complain if necessary:

•Repsol (orange bottles):
Garcia & Hijos, C/ Antonio Millon, Edf. Peñafiel. Tel. 952 52 4195.

•Cepsa (silver bottles):
Servigas, C/ Ruperto Anduez 13. Tel. 952 521593.

 

NORWEGIANS APPLYING FOR THE EUROPEAN MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

Wednesday, 11 August 2010
When Foreign Residents of Spain visit another European country, in order to have public medical assistance, they must apply for the blue European Medical Card at the Social Security office of their own country.

An exception is made for Norwegians and persons from Switzerland, Iceland and Lichtenstein, as members of the EEE (European Economic Area) who will not be given the blue medical card from the country of origin and must apply for a provisional European medical certificate. You obtain this certificate at the Social Security office of Velez Malaga. C/ Fernando Vivar 3 (at the entrance of the town by the Ambulatorio). Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 14:00. You must present your Spanish social security card, Residence Certificate and passport.

This certificate will be given on the same day and will be valid for 3 months. If you remain abroad within Europe for more than 3 months, then you must apply for another provisional certificate from Velez Malaga.

At the Nerja Foreigners Department we have a copy of the translation of the Norwegian letter issued by Helfo, the Norwegian Social Security services, so you can show at the Social Security Office of Velez Malaga. (Helfo letter attached).

See attachment

PALM TREE BEETLE TO BE TREATED BY THE OWNER OF THE PALM

Friday, 30 July 2010
The Junta de Andalucia has amended its law on the Palm Beetle. Anyone who has a palm tree or is thinking of planting palm trees should read the attachment.

It is now the obligation of the owner of the infected palm tree to pay all costs regarding pruning, treatment against infection and the chopping up and removal of the palm.

If you have an infected palm, you must contact any authorized garden company to dispose of it correctly. These companies can be found in the yellow pages under Jardinería.T

THE PALM BEETLE

INTRODUCTION:
This insect originates from southeast Asia and Polynesia and has since extended throughout a large number of subtropical regions, for example Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Iran where most of our palm trees come from.
In Europe, Spain and Andalucia it was first detected in Almunecar (Provence of Granada) in 1995, the following year it was found in Nerja. The infected area has continued to spread along the coast, now effecting Motril, Salobrena, Molvizar and Almunecar, in the Province of Granada and Nerja, Frigiliana, Torrox andVelez Malaga in the Provence of Malaga.
The beetle makes it home in a wide range of palm trees, but in our area its favorite is the Caneria Palm Phoenix canariensis, then the date Palm Phoenix dactylifer and on occasions the Phoenix robellini.

INSECT DISCRIPTION:
The adult beetles are quite large measuring 5cm, they are red in colour with black spots on the head and stripes on the body, the male has hairs on its beak. They are most active during the day and can fly long distances although in affected areas they become quite sedentary.
The eggs are difficult to see being a shiny white in colour measuring 1 to 2.5 mm. Females can lay between 300 and 400 eggs which they deposit in the soft material of the palm trees, normally in the abrasions of the susceptible types.
The lave grow becoming cream or yellowy marbled in colour as they develop growing up to 5 cm in their last stages of development. The head is dark brown in colour with a strong mandibular, which they use to eat.
The pupae vary in colour, becoming darker during gestation. Immobile protected by an enormous cylindrical cocoon built by the lave from a mass of fibres.

BIOLOGICAL STUDY:
After years of studying the effected areas, we know that the Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier is an insect that presents a great biological character whose growth cycle is very susceptible to climatic conditions. The species needs 3 to 4 months to complete a life cycle in our area, this means we can expect up to 4 generations per year. Which means that we can guarantee that all the growth cycles continue though out the year.
The cold temperatures in winter limit the spread of the species, Meanwhile the palm tree that has been attacked provides food, so the adults do not need to leave, living in the same palm tree for generations. Taking advantage of the special conditions inside the tree (high temperatures and humid), which favour their development and means they are not effected by the exterior climate. Only when the palm is totally destroyed and it can't maintain new generations will the adults emigrate to a new tree (ambient temperature permitting).
The females prefer sick palms, with cuts from pruning or weak from being replanted. Definitively, any tree that is stressed is vulnerably to attack.

SYMPTOMS & DAMAGES:
Given the special characteristics of this insect (development takes place within the palm) with those of their hosts (palms of a certain size, badly pruned, etc..), it is not easy to detect symptoms in the early stages of attack.
The speed in which the attack is detected depends on a number of variable factors, such as where the infestation started (crown or different part of the trunk), seriousness of the attack, conditions of the tree, etc.
If it starts in the crown, near the point of vegetation, they are most vulnerable and the symptoms are visible quicker, the damage is severe and will not recuperate. You can observe the young undeveloped central leaves with eaten foliage, dropping and generally looking weakened. When pulled it will come away easily. In advanced cases the leaves fall in the wind.
If the penetration starts in the trunk because of bad pruning or cuts it is not as serious, if it is detected in time the attack can be controlled. When the base of the leaves are attacked by the plague, its general aspect will change, the leaves will appear disordered, probably due to the weakness of the outer leaves and they will fall easily.
Other associated symptoms that could help you detect the presence of the plague inside your palm are:
• The sound of the lave chewing while they eat.
• The smell is characteristic of the decaying interior of the tree.
• Orifices that expel a red coloured viscose liquid and in extreme cases bits of fibre can appear.
The greatest danger that this plague can occasion in our area is the destruction and death of the same, although for their ornamental value we can not discount the anti aesthetic damage to those trees which are infected but found in time to be saved through treatment. This is possible when the palm heart (meristemo apical or the growing apex) has not been effected.

 

METHOD OF CONTROL:
In the areas where these plagues originated there are natural enemies of this parasite, although they are inefficient at controlling the problem. Therefore on a practical level the following methods are recommended:
1. Indirect:
• Prevent any cuts, as weakened palms are more at risk of attack. This is why it is recommended not to prune when the beetle is at its most active and to limit this to the colder months (December to February) when the adult is less animated. Always cover any cuts with a healing balm or plastic and apply an insecticide to any trees that are manipulated.
• Avoid replanting the Phoenix canariensis and Phoenix dactylifera in effected areas, as they are weakened until they adapt to their new surroundings and the beetle is most prevalent at summer time.
2. Direct:
• Remove and destroy any infected trees to stop propagating the plague. The best way to destroy them is to chip all of the vegetation. Sometimes the root remains in the ground, this must be protected as it can serve as a nest for adults flying in the area. The following measures can be used on the root:
• Treatment with an insecticide.
• Apply a layer of plastic.
• Cover with plastic or any other material which will make a physical barrier.
• Chemical Control. The foliage should be treated during the year with alternating treatments.

YOU & THE LAW:
After the plague was officially declared in June 1997 methods were put into place to control and eradicate the beetle. Including a passport to control the movement, cutting and destruction of elected trees.
Now in March of 2010 a new law has been passed to establish new guidelines to eradicate this plague.
• Article 1: Establishes the measures to fight said plague.
• Article 2: Defines the areas of danger; Infested Area: 1km radius, Control Area: 10km radius, Marked Area: the sum of both areas.
• Article 3: The government body responsible will periodically publish a list of effected areas on www.cap.junta-andalucia.es/agriculturaypesca/portal and the most effective methods of controlling the plague.
• Article 4: Producers and importers of sensitive plants must follow the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries guide lines.
• Article 5: Producers of sensitive plants should observe specific obligations governing passports and the planting of said plants.
• Article 6: Importers of sensitive plants must be situated at least 1km from private or public planted areas and comply with other specific obligations.
• Article 7: The owners of sensitive trees are obliged to notify the Department of Vegetable Health at the Department of Agriculture & fisheries. Allow the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries access to sensitive plants. Apply the necessary health measures. Control the pruning of trees. Avoid planting at risk trees.
• Article 8: The Town Hall will inform the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries of any suspicions of infestations. Inform the Delegations of anyone cultivating sensitive trees.
• Article 9: Anyone who owns a sensitive tree must follow a treatment plan and assist in the eradication of the plague. If it is impossible to save a tree it will be destroyed, with all expenses being paid by the owner of the palm. Sensitive plants will not be replanted without the authority of the Provincial Delegation of Agriculture and Fisheries.
• Article 10: Any non-compliance of the law could result in an infraction.
• Article 11: Subject to economic fines.

If Seprona (A Body of the Guardia Civil) discover an infected Palm that has gone unreported they will take the necessary measures to save or remove and destroy it, the full cost of which will be paid by the owner of the Infected Plant.

 

 

EUROPEAN MEDICAL ASSITANCE BLUE CARD

Tuesday, 20 July 2010
When visiting another country and in order to be covered with public
medical assistance, you must have the European medical blue card.

This entitles you to medical assistance and a 60% discount in medicines.

Residents:
Pensioners:

Foreign Resident Pensioners living in Spain must no longer apply for the European medical blue card at the Social Security Office in Velez- Málaga.

Now you must apply for it at the National Health Office of your own
country. This medical card could take several weeks to arrive by post, so it must be applied for with anticipation in making a journey.

Pensioners can get free medicines if you have a translated certificate stating you are a pensioner. This certificate can be applied for at your consulate in the country you are visiting or from the National Health Office of your country and after you must have it translated.

Non Pensioners:

Foreigners working in Spain and paying into the Spanish Social Security system will apply for their European medical blue card by Internet at:
www.seg-social.es/ solicitar...

In one week you will receive your European card by post. If you have changed address, you must go to the Social Security Office in Velez- Málaga in C/ Fernando Vivar 3 to change the address.

Non Residents:

When coming to Spain for holidays, you must bring this European medical blue card from your country.

If you stay more than 3 months in Spain, you will not receive medical
assistance if you do not present to the Ambulatorio, Public Medical Centre your NIE number and Padron certificate from the Town Hall stating that you are registered on the town population.

IBI TAX GENERAL RATES 2010 TO BE PAID BEFORE 10TH SEPTEMBER

Monday, 19 July 2010
All owners of a property are liable to pay the General Rates IBI tax. If you have not received the invoice by post, you can collect it at the Tax Office in C/ Cristo 14 and then pay it in your bank. We advise to make a bank order
so the bank pays the receipt directly avoiding making queues and having surcharges for paying out of date.