Katy Perry’s team is hitting back at criticism over her latest music video being shot on protected sand dunes on a Spanish island, saying the production company was given “full permission to film.”
The Government of the Balearic Islands, an archipelago off eastern Spain, said it launched a preliminary investigation into the filming of the star’s “LIFETIMES” music video, which authorities claim was done without proper authorization.
The video, which premiered last week, shows Perry dancing and partying with friends on the beach.
The Balearic Islands’ Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment said in a release Tuesday that it was looking into alleged violations by the music video’s production company, WeOwnTheCity, as the company did not request authorization from the ministry prior to filming.
The Ministry said that the video was filmed at Ses Salines Nature Park, which spans several Spanish islands. The BBC reported the video includes shots of the the dune system on the island of S’Espalmador, an islet north of Formentera. The dunes are of “great ecological value,” according to the government’s tourism website.
The ministry clarified that “in no case would it be a crime for environmental infringement,” as the act of filming is not prohibited on the island — as long as the videographer had obtained permission from environmental authorities.
Capitol Records is defending the video, saying the production company was given the green light to film.
A label spokesperson told NBC News that the music video production company “assured us that all necessary permits for the video were secured.”
“We have since learned that one permit was in process, although we were given verbal authority to go ahead,” the spokesperson said. “Our local crew on July 22 applied for a permit for this specific location with the Directorate-General For Coasts And Coastline. Our crew received verbal approval on July 26 to proceed with the filming on July 27.”
The spokesperson said it “adhered to all regulations associated with filming in this area and have the utmost respect for this location and the officials tasked with protecting it.”
WeOwnTheCity did not respond to NBC News’ request for comment.
Released a month after “Woman’s World,” “LIFETIMES” is Perry’s second single for her upcoming seventh studio album “143.” The artist has said the dance-pop song is inspired by her daughter, Daisy Dove Bloom.
“Every night, before we go to sleep, I say, ‘I love you,’ and then I ask, ‘Will you find me in every lifetime?’ and she says, ‘Yes,'” she told PEOPLE last month.