Farmers’ strike What do Spanish farmers ask for? due to opposition

After the Europeans did so, Spanish farmers have launched a series of protests that have resulted in road blockades across Spain.

Farmers and ranchers believe that there is a Systematic non-compliance with food chain legislationA regulation approved in December 2021, which, among other things, gives importance to the countryside and food activity and, in the process, allows producers to obtain prices that allow them to cover production costs. “The ministry should start set criteria To determine these production costs and ensure that the prices we farmers receive, the basic price, give us enough to live,” defends the union União de Pajesos (UP). The Food Information and Control Agency (AICA) should work with ex officio inspection Organizers of the mobilization say that “in a situation of abnormally low prices, as is the case with lemons right now.”

The sector calls for “more direct and active” support diesel for agricultural use, There is a demand that the increased relaxation should be implemented in Spain from January 1st. at supply point, “as was done in the post-Covid era for all citizens,” puts the emphasis on those affected, rather than the current system, which involves tax cuts at the end of the year, when annual expenses are presented. As agreed by the Government last December, for agricultural and livestock activities, to compensate for the increase in the cost of some inputs, it is established for the 2024 tax period that the previous net yield There may be a 35 percent reduction in diesel purchase. 15% of the purchase price of agriculture and fertilizers.

The administration will have to solve this unfair import competition Which do not meet the same conditions required in production in EU member countries, farmers protest. “We are operating in an unregulated market, which makes sense Agricultural products from third countries at low prices, which puts downward pressure on prices in Spain,” they condemn. “These non-EU productions do not comply with EU internal rules and represent contradictions and hypocrisy in European political action. An unfair competition that prevents the viability of thousands of farms in Spain and Europe,” he says. Among the countries that most threaten Spanish agriculture are, for example, Morocco, which is given preferential treatment in Europe. “European Under the supervision of the Commission, Moroccan border control To guarantee that agricultural products imported from that country comply with EU internal regulations and the tariff amounts established in free trade agreements,” they demand. They also demand Review or not renew agreements With great competitors like New Zealand, Chile, Mexico, Kenya and India.

In both Catalonia and Andalusia, the protests include a specific complaint about the effects of the drought. União de Pejasos demands payment of aid committed by the Generalitat Last year’s drought in grain and herb areas So that the farmer can bear the expenses of seeds, diesel, fertilizer and soil and sowing. Andalusian producerFor their part, they demand immediate improvements to the hydraulic infrastructure, which causes “farmers in provinces like Huelva to face 50% water restrictions.”

farmers, especially those who have seen how extreme weather events Those who were reducing their crops called for reform of agricultural insurance to provide better coverage for new conditions arising from climate change. “You have to retrieve a strong budget For agricultural insurance, to adapt it to the increasingly intense and frequent structural situation caused by drought and adverse weather events, climate change, sustain protesting unions. The Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, committed, parliamentary attendance This week, to address “A” Optimization of insurance system in rural areas“, but did not set budget allocations or implementation deadlines.

“We demand Flexibility and simplification of current CAP“Noting that excessive bureaucracy is increasing unaffordable costs for professional farmers and ranchers and making it not possible to meet environmental objectives”, ask the majority of unions. This includes, among other issues, “the establishment of an indefinite moratorium on the implementation of marches Is” digital exploitation notebook“, one of the instruments of which, paradoxically, the Ministry is most proud. They also point to autonomous community, which calls for urgent reforms to “streamline bureaucratic processes that stifle professionals in the field.” Reducing the bureaucratic burden will speed up the collection of aid, which is now received with considerable delay.

For now, the European Commission has responded to the request of the French countryside to repeal for one year the rules of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that force farmers keep some land fallow, a measure that sowed discontent, especially in France. However, this is not a priority demand for Spanish farmers, as some crops such as herbaceous crops and cereals have been leaving land fallow for some time in order to benefit from the CAP. It is also agreed to impose limits on the expansion of free trade with ukraine To try to provide relief to farmers in eastern countries who have to face tough competition. Another demand of French farmers, reviewed Free trade agreement with Mercosur, Presents advantages and disadvantages for Spanish producers. On the one hand, it offers fewer features export some products agri-food, but on the other hand, it guarantees that they will continue Other areas more secure Such as livestock and citrus fruits.