ASdTorrevieja Information - tourist guide: Illegal dvds put to good use Illegal dvds put to good use ================================================================================ Keith Nicol on 19 September, 2011 10:49:00 During the past years, growers of La Mata Vines have been hanging CD’s on poles and when the grape are ripe, so that, with the reflection of the sun, they scare away the birds from their crops. If you are one of those who purchase some of the ‘fun’ stuff offered by Torrevieja’s ‘lookie-lookie’ men and sellers of illegal DVD’s it would have been enough to make your eyes water on Wednesday as in Torrevieja’s Ecopark facilities they destroyed thousands of illegal items, confiscated during the summer campaign by local police in the municipality. The event, attended by the mayor, Eduardo Dolon, the councillor of Police, Eduardo Gil Rebollo and the Chief of Police, Vicente Gutierrez, witnessed the destruction of 17,866 objects, among which were 946 units of clothing, 400 bags, 5,042 CDs, 6,786 DVDs, 803 watches, 121 belts, sunglasses 3,332 all with counterfeit trademarks, 76 perfumes, 233 wallets and 157 unapproved and dangerous toys for children. The street value of which was around €150,000 euros, according to the mayor. The president of the Farmers' Association of La Mata, Simon Perez, aware of the numerous material seized by the local police asked the City Council of Torrevieja if the La Mata Wine Producers could have some of the illegal CDs and DVDs. Thus, each item had a hole drilled through it, so as not to be used, and they were donated to the association for use in areas of vineyards. During the past years, growers of La Mata Vines have been hanging CD’s on poles and when the grape are ripe, so that, with the reflection of the sun, they scare away the birds from their crops. The President of the Farmers Association of Mata explained that this material not be used until July, when the grapes are ripe and with a minimum amount that will not damage the ecosystem. Impressed by the ingenuity of the La Mata Farmers, Eduardo Gil Rebollo, approved this request and donated about 11,000 CDs and DVD’s to the Farmers' Association of La Mata to be reused and protect the grapes, thus ensuring that for the next crop year, 2012, will not be undermined by the damage produced by the birds that inhabit the park. Each year, local police confiscate over 30,000 illegally copied CDs and DVDs, which up until now have been crushed by steam roller in the eco park zone and so this initiative not only is environmentally friendly but also saves on fuel, to power the steamroller, so it’s a win-win situation for everyone, except for the illegal manufacturers of the discs and other ‘genuine fake’ items! Keith Nicol