Spain’s Minister of Agriculture Luis Planas (PSOE) said that to ensure that trading partners respect similar agricultural and environmental constraints, Spain will streamline its administrative regulations under the Common Agricultural Policy and the EU-Mercosur It said it plans to submit proposals to strengthen mirror clauses in free trade agreements such as the Agreement. /S&D) said on Monday.
Planas also said that Spain will present to EU member states concrete proposals to reform food chain laws and various ideas to solve other issues of concern to farmers, such as agricultural insurance. He also said. Onda SeroThis was reported by Euractiv partner EFE.
However, like in other EU countries, Spanish farmers have taken to the streets to demand greater flexibility in the EU’s CAP, compliance with food chain legislation (including the abolition of ‘loss sale’ measures, which is an extension of the agreement). requested a change. Temporary tax relief on agricultural diesel and aid to sectors affected by the country’s ongoing drought.
In the latest protest in Madrid on Monday, participants denounced the “pressure” exerted by EU policies that “threatened the survival of farms,” said Madrid’s Coordinator of Farmers and Ranchers Organizations (COAG). ) said the state general secretary. , Ivana Martinez told EFE on Monday.
Monday’s protests were mobilized following calls from the National Platform for Transport Defense, despite opposition from the Spanish National Federation of Transport Associations (Fenadismar), calling for more favorable tax cuts and petrol subsidies. Truck drivers who were on strike for the second day also participated. that.
With protests expected to continue, including a large protest in front of the Ministry of Agriculture scheduled for February 21, and discontent expected to spread to other sectors, Planas said this week: He also clarified that he is “in regular contact” with fishermen’s organizations that are planning meetings. He will decide whether to join protests by Spanish farmers and livestock producers.
However, while Mr. Planas reiterated his support for the right to demonstrate, he mainly referred to the main opposition party, Partido, and mentioned the possibility of opposition parties using the demonstrations for partisan purposes, saying that “political manipulation” is taking place. He expressed his opposition to possible protests. The far-right party VOX is the most popular and third largest group in parliament.
Maximum reciprocity in trade agreements
Pointing to the “decisive” EU elections coming up in June, Planas said that Brussels and its government attach great importance to the future “sustainability” of the sector, without forgetting profitability. Ta.
On the controversial issue of “mirror clauses” in trade agreements, such as the one between the EU and Mercosur, which force producers in both countries to respect the same environmental and health standards, he said Spain’s He reiterated his demand for “reciprocity.”
“If a phytosanitary product is banned in the EU, its import must be completely prohibited,” Planas stressed.
Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo (PSOE/S&D) told Spain’s Public Radio Television (RTVE) on Monday about the controversial CAP, which many European farmers have criticized for its bureaucratic excesses. And Madrid will significantly “simplify the administration” of access to EU subsidies.
(Fernando Heller | EuroEFE.Euractiv.es)
