In recent weeks, a wave of farmer mobilizations has begun to spread across Spain, reaching the Alicante province and drawing together the major professional bodies within the Valencian Community. The federation of agricultural organizations active in the region, including AVA-Asaja, Asaja Alicante, La Unió Llauradora i Ramadera, COAG, and UPA-PV, announced their joint action with the backing of the Valencian Community’s agri-food cooperatives. Their united plan emphasizes a clear condemnation of the ongoing crisis affecting the sector and calls on all levels of government to implement precautionary measures and rapid responses. A protest in the Alicante area is scheduled for Monday, February 12, with expectations that certain routes, potentially including sections of the A-7 motorway, may be blocked due to delays in securing the necessary permissions from the Government Delegation. Cited: AVA-Asaja, Asaja Alicante, La Unió Llauradora i Ramadera, COAG, UPA-PV.
Beyond Alicante, the coordinated action extends to the Castellón port on February 15 and the Valencia port on February 22. Depending on the responses from various administrations, agricultural groups do not rule out broadening the protest calendar. The plan envisions actions not only in other Spanish autonomous communities but also across Europe, with possible demonstrations in Brussels or Strasbourg. Parallel to the mobilizations, the sector seeks direct engagement with political leadership to present their demands to the Government Delegate for the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé, with participation from sub-delegates, and with the Generalitat Valenciana leadership under President Carlos Mazón. Key ministers, including Agriculture Minister José Luis Aguirre and Environment Minister Salomé Pradas, are also anticipated to participate in discussions on the issues at hand. Cited: regional and national agricultural bodies.
Valencian farmers and ranchers warn that the profitability crisis is accelerating farm abandonment, a trend that threatens rural populations and could push up food prices for consumers. The broader concern is that reduced farm viability leads to fewer local products and a weaker rural economy, with consequences for regional communities and food security. Cited: Valencian agricultural organizations.
Alicante shippers estimate losses due to French blockade at five million
The basic goals of the sector include aligning European policy with the needs of farmers, pushing for a more flexible approach to the European Green Deal, and ensuring reciprocity in all new EU trade agreements with non-EU partners. There is also a call for a review of existing deals and a robust impact assessment to guide future policy. Other priorities focus on reducing bureaucratic hurdles in agricultural policy, easing the digital farming ledger, strengthening phytosanitary controls for imports from third countries, and supporting crop adaptation to climate change while maintaining essential plant protection tools where viable. Cited: European agricultural stakeholders.
There is also a demand for strict adherence to the Food Chain Law to prohibit sales below cost, a rapid plan to counter rising production costs, and a comprehensive approach to water management and drought relief. Structural changes in agricultural insurance are proposed to secure a basic income for farming families, alongside measures to address the financial pressures facing producers. Cited: regional agricultural bodies and policymakers.
Related posts:
The goalscorers of Lionel Scaloni’s cycle in the Argentina national team Cherries, DANA and Drought: Alicante’s Agricultural Battle in a Shifting Climate ASAJA Alicante Awards Spotlight 2022 Winners and Sector Challenges ASAJA Alicante Warns of Import Pest Threat to Alicante Citrus Girona overpower Mallorca in a 5-3 La Liga thriller to top the table Spain’s Farmers Rally: COAG and Asaja Unite Against CAP Changes Real Betis edges Mallorca in a tense LaLiga clash Data sheet and match recap: Celta Vigo and Espanyol open LaLiga with a late penalty twist Sunflower planting was increased by 30 percent due to rising prices in the province AI, Ethics, and the Future: Debates Sparked by ChatGPT Asaja Alicante Supports Vall d’Ebo Fire Recovery With Income Relief and Cooperative Action Girona’s late surge tops Valencia as Stuani nets twice