Press release
Spain’s Supreme Court upholds landmark human rights ruling in industrial livestock case
Court declares inadmissible the appeals filed by the Regional Government of Galicia and the Miño-Sil River Basin Authority
Human rights win over the impacts of industrial livestock pollution
13 February 2026
Spain’s Supreme Court has declared inadmissible the appeals filed by the Regional Government of Galicia and the Miño-Sil River Basin Authority against a landmark human rights ruling.
The original ruling of the High Court of Justice of Galicia delivered in July 2025, confirmed that Spanish national and regional authorities had breached residents’ human rights according to both the Spanish Constitution and European Convention of Human Rights, by failing to manage record levels of pollution from hundreds of pig and poultry farms in the A Limia region
The latest ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice is now final and enforceable.
The finality of the ruling obliges the authorities to effectively adopt the necessary measures to put an end to the degradation of the reservoir and its surrounding areas, and to restore the rights that have been infringed.
This decision consolidates the pioneering ruling of the High Court of Justice of Galicia: the protection of fundamental rights must prevail where the impacts of industrial livestock farming place at risk people’s lives, health, and the environment.
The claimants and the supporting organisations (Amigas de la Tierra, ClientEarth, and the Consumers and Users Federation - CECU) welcome the judicial decision and the definitive victory it represents. They underline the need to continue defending fundamental rights in the face of pollution caused by industrial livestock farming, and to ensure that public authorities fulfil their legal obligations.
Mercedes Álvarez de León, claimant in the case, said:
“Today is a historic day. not only for the residents of As Conchas, but for all those fighting to defend their rights while public authorities turn a deaf ear to their demands and to the pollution affecting their communities. However much they resist, it is now clear that they must comply with the judgment and restore a clean environment to us. We hope others see our victory as a light of hope, to keep fighting and never give up, because even when battles seem lost, we now know they can be won.”
Pablo Álvarez Veloso, president of the residents’ association and claimant, said:
“Once again, the courts have upheld our position. After years of struggle to defend our reservoir, which should be a shared heritage of all the people of Galicia, Spain’s Supreme Court has made clear that public authorities must safeguard human rights. Today we celebrate with emotion and pride. This decision reinforces a simple principle: fundamental rights come first. Health comes first. Clean water comes first. And a dignified life in our rural communities comes first.”
Blanca Ruibal, coordinator of Friends of the Earth Spain, commented:
“The confirmation of this judgment sends a very clear message: it is time for public authorities to safeguard the fundamental rights of their population and restore the As Conchas reservoir. This recognition of human rights violations is a historic milestone. We hope this ruling will give hope to many individuals and communities in similar situations, and that they know health and nature must prevail over the interests of a few. We will continue challenging the impacts of industrial livestock farming.”
Nieves Noval, Lead of Sustainable Food Systems at ClientEarth, said:
“With the dismissal of the appeals, the fundamental rights of the residents of As Conchas are confirmed and must now be made effective without delay. The Regional Government of Galicia and the Miño-Sil River Basin Authority must immediately proceed to implement the judgment so that these rights translate into a dignified life for the affected communities.”
David Sánchez, Director of the Consumers and Users Federation (CECU), added:
“We welcome the fact that the judgment is now final and binding, and we call on the Regional Government and the River Basin Authority to enforce it without further delay. It is urgent to restore the affected area and ensure that the population can fully enjoy their right to water. We also hope this ruling sets a strong precedent so that no other community has to endure the situation faced by the residents of As Conchas.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
The As Conchas case
On 11 July 2025, the High Court of Justice of Galicia delivered a landmark ruling concerning pollution of the As Conchas reservoir and the River Limia in the A Limia district (province of Ourense, Galicia, Spain).
The Court concluded that national and regional authorities had violated the fundamental rights of residents, under the Spanish Constitution and European human rights law, by failing to take effective action against pollution generated by hundreds of industrial pig and poultry farms in the area.
The ruling required the competent authorities to adopt effective measures, using all necessary legal and regulatory tools, to put an end to pollution of the As Conchas reservoir and the districts of A Limia and Baixa Limia, and to restore the rights to life, health, and enjoyment of the environment of the affected population.
In August 2025, the Regional Government of Galicia and the Miño-Sil River Basin Authority lodged cassation appeals before Spain’s Supreme Court, seeking to have the judgment overturned.
Spain’s Supreme Court has now declared those appeals inadmissible, thereby upholding the judgment of the High Court of Justice of Galicia and rendering the decision final and enforceable. This ruling consolidates a landmark precedent in the protection of fundamental rights against the impacts of industrial livestock farming.
About ClientEarth
ClientEarth is a non-profit organisation that uses the law to create systemic change that protects the Earth for – and with – its inhabitants. We are tackling climate change, protecting nature and stopping pollution, with partners and citizens around the globe. We hold industry and governments to account and defend everyone’s right to a healthy world. ClientEarth teams in Europe, Asia and the USA work to shape, implement and enforce the law, to build a future for our planet in which people and nature can thrive together.