French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal stirred further debate last Friday by linking the closure of the Spanish border to what he called unfair competition from Spanish agriculture.
Leaders in Murcia’s farming sector describe rural life as especially precarious. They point to the pressure from the Green Deal and the 2030 Agenda, which imposes new environmental limits and rules, raising costs. COAG president José Miguel Marín told La Opinión that production bears the burden of tighter constraints and that the promised flexibility has not materialized. “This puts us in a difficult position”, Marín remarked.
Asaja’s general secretary, Alfonso Gálvez, argues that the moment calls for a strong response. Even though energy prices have eased, he notes that costs for raw materials and supplies remain high and are not fully covered by prices.
Marcos Alarcón, secretary general of the national UPA, does not support a call for a broad mobilization. He says today’s gathering should focus on progress and the exploration of options. One consistent demand from French growers is the preservation of agricultural diesel, which, in Spain, the Ministry has guaranteed for the entire legislative period and tied to the Hydrocarbon Tax. Alarcón also contends that protests that block France’s roads cannot be justified, suggesting that the French government must address the issue directly rather than letting it escalate.
Beyond safeguarding diesel tax exemptions for farmers, there is a call to reduce bureaucracy and the controls surrounding agricultural work. For the European Union, the discussion includes adjusting policies to limit the import of foods that carry a competitive edge due to looser standards and different production norms.
While many farmers broadly backed the French and German grievances, they pushed back against French union critiques that accused the Spanish countryside of unfair competition. Spain has been urged to maintain high standards and oppose practices that would undermine the EU framework, such as the use of phytosanitary products prohibited by Community rules.
Miguel Padilla, the national COAG general secretary, dismissed those remarks as wrong and outrageous. He noted that French officials had described Spain as a foreign country with more permissive legislation and suggested Morocco’s product import has not been litigated in those statements.
Alfonso Gálvez also rejects the accusations and points out that European regulations governing phytosanitary products apply uniformly across all European agriculture.
According to the UPA, the French prime minister’s remarks are unacceptable. Fepex recalls that France serves as a major gateway for Moroccan products to the global market.
The European Commission has again asked France to explain the road closures and the attacks by its farmers on Spanish transporters along the border, warning that measures could be taken if necessary. The Commission insists that disruptions should not justify blocking or destroying the goods of farmers from other member states.
Brussels demands an explanation from France over overturned trucks
At the request of Spanish authorities, on January 26 the European Commission asked the French government for details about road and motorway disruptions and the steps planned to ensure the free movement of goods within the European market. A Commission spokesperson said the body has received widespread complaints from the farming community and is working with member states and stakeholders to address them as a priority. The spokesperson added that this should not be used as a pretext to impede or destroy agricultural products from other member states.
In this evolving dispute, the parties are trying to balance support for rural economies with a broader push for sustainable farming practices and fair competition across the EU. The conversations reflect a broader struggle to align national supports, environmental targets, and trade rules with the realities on the ground for farmers across Europe. [attribution: La Opinión]