“Although the measures approved in March are still in effect, we will reassemble the drought table in the coming days,” he said.He assured Planas after a meeting with the French Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Marc Fesneau, where they discussed this important issue for both countries.
The head of agriculture admitted it was his. I was “surprised” to hear “a large number of meeting requests” from people who were unaware of the work of the drought table since last March 4 and after taking important measures in mid-March,” he said.
Planas argued that while the Government worked to respond to problems and seek solutions, others “Making noise and agitating seems to be a task some set themselves”.
Agricultural Provincial President reminded. one “in an open state climate change“. There are two things that need to be done: tackling and adapting to climate change and making better use of the water we have.
“We must respond to the problems that arise, what we won’t do is get into pointless argumentsOr, if those who requested the call knew that the table was working and that the measures were in place, they would have shown some moderation in this matter,” he criticized.
Planas recalled this week that the European Commission has confirmed this. 47% of EU suffers from ‘severe or very severe drought’ He stated that he explained to the President of the French Agriculture “the measures taken by the Spanish Government in this regard with the statutory decree that includes financial and social bonus measures”.
“I do not want to forget60 million euros, which we later realized in support of agricultural insurance, responding to drought situations in the primary sector. This is a new moment to think aboutmany strategies related to water. Irrigation should not be a yes-no debate, it should be sustainable.”
price stability
On the other hand, Spain and France Agriculture representatives also made statements on the subject. The state of the agricultural markets, Which “significantly changed” with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“The fact that it was possible to export 600,000 tons of grain from Ukraine in recent weeks has allowed some of that pressure to relax.. This more positive behavior is a factor to be considered in terms of feed prices in the near future. ensure stability, at least in relation to direct supplies to citizens and animal feed prices,” Planas explained.
The meeting of the two ministers also yielded results. analyze his future presidency Spain which will take place in the European Union in the second half of 2023 and before the European elections.which would make him “the last European presidency capable of finalizing legislative files”.
In this way he approached Planas and Fesneaus.the status of certain regulations that had to be approved at that time, such as those related to geographical indications, both countries share that this figure is a “basic tool for the evaluation” of food.
Another topic on the table was the proposal by the European Commission on the use of phytosanitary products, as well as the presentation of issues related to labeling of origin, nutrition and sustainability of production, “a very complex issue”. “, according to Planas, for which the EC has not yet made its offer. “Spain and France share that the European standard is simple and reflects the diversity of productions,” the Spanish minister said.
The ministers also agreed to defend the principle of reciprocity in trade relations. “It is important that all imported products are produced under conditions to which Europeans are subject. This seemingly fundamental issue is not so, and this element of reciprocity needs to be ensured in all ongoing trade negotiations, which is essential for the future.“, he told.
Finally, Planas measure approved by the last Council of Ministers with Mandatory implementation of video surveillance systems in Spanish slaughterhouses. “This measure has the full support of the industry. It is a clear recognition of the very high quality standards of the meat industry, every member country is free to adopt it and I have my full support as the whole Spanish meat industry,” he said. .