Por María Izquierdo 
A recent session of the Regional Pine Nut Board, which brings together the sector, concluded the need for research to combat the chinche bug infestation, fight against the illegal trafficking of pine nuts, and establish a designation of origin for Castilla y León to address the «production crisis.»
The General Directorate of Natural Heritage and Forest Policy, under the Ministry of Environment, Housing, and Land Planning of the Junta, held this session at the Ministry’s headquarters in Valladolid.
The meeting, attended by representatives from public administrations, research entities, forestry organizations, private landowners, processing industry, and catering, discussed the «critical» situation facing the sector and potential solutions. These issues will be presented on Thursday, May 22nd, at the National Forestry Council meeting in Madrid.
The main topics discussed included the chinche bug infestation (Leptoglossus occidentalis), the projected production loss for the next three years, the need to improve traceability systems, the development of objective tools to assess pine nut yields, and the differentiation of Castilla y León pine nuts in the markets.
Specifically, there is a call to increase investment in research to optimize the synthesis of leptotriene, a pheromone that, while not eradicating the infestation, will enhance understanding of its population dynamics.
Additionally, the promotion of biological control methods using parasitoids, fungi, or nematodes was proposed as more sustainable alternatives suitable for forest masses where chemical treatments are not viable, as reported by the Junta in a press release cited by Europa Press.
Regarding traceability and combating the illegal trafficking of pine nuts, the industrial sector emphasized the «urgent» need to implement a standardized traceability system nationwide to curb the illicit trade of pine nuts between autonomous communities and hinder the legalization of stolen or prematurely harvested pine nuts.
Another shared demand within the sector is the establishment of a designation of origin for pine nuts. The initiation of efforts to obtain recognition was proposed, aiming to enhance the product’s added value and differentiate it from lower-quality imports.
With a projected «drastic reduction» in production, both landowners and processors have raised concerns about the «limited» current fruiting of pine forests, with only about 8 new pine nuts per tree compared to the 300 in previous campaigns. The impact of the chinche bug on young pine nuts, twigs, and shoots poses a threat that could halt commercial production in the region for at least three years.
The meeting also addressed the recent Decree 5/2025, issued on March 27th, which regulates the legal framework for forest exploitation in Castilla y León. This decree streamlines procedures through mandatory online processing and the use of the responsible declaration format, while also including provisions for impounding vehicles used in illegal harvesting activities.
Furthermore, the Association for the Protection of the Stone Pine presented advancements in an objective yield calculation tool, estimating the pine nut volume produced on each mountain while still on the tree, in collaboration with INIA-CSIC and the Territorial Service of Environment in Valladolid.
This tool will be unveiled on October 22nd in La Zarza (Valladolid) as part of the European project IMFOREST, promoting forest bioeconomy.
FORESTRY COUNCIL
All proposals discussed and agreed upon in this Board meeting will be presented this Thursday at the National Forestry Council, the primary advisory body for forestry matters at the national level.
Cesefor, representing the non-wood forest products sector, will advocate for the pine nut sector alongside the Forest Technology Center of Catalonia (CTFC), aiming to secure greater involvement from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge in resolving this crisis.