The fresh strawberries from southern Spain have been available in German supermarkets for a few weeks now.

Most of it grows under plastic sheets on the edge of the Doñana National Park on the Andalusian Atlantic coast.

But the UNESCO natural heritage is in danger of drying up because more than a thousand illegal wells pump the scarce water onto the huge plantations.

For the first time, more than 20 leading European supermarket chains and wholesalers have now raised their voices.

Together they call on the conservative Andalusian regional government to stop the illegal agricultural use of around 1900 hectares instead of legalizing it through an amnesty.

"With this amnesty, the park is finally dying of thirst," warns the nature conservation organization WWF.

The five largest food retailers in Europe have also joined the WWF initiative to save the Doñana World Heritage Site.

In Germany there are Aldi Nord, Aldi Süd, Edeka, Kaufland, Lidl, Netto and Rewe.

There are also companies in Switzerland, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

According to the WWF, they want to be sure that their fruit is grown in an ecologically responsible manner.

Germany is the most important buyer of strawberries from the region.