The Valencian Parliament is committed to organic farming to ensure the future of citrus fruits

“Specialization of the Valencian citrus industry in organic production seems to be the safest way to maintain and profitability”, because it is “closer to a circular economy that is more flexible and avoids external dependencies”. This is one of the main conclusions contained in the report cited above.

The Commission also advocates intensifying the implementation of the measures contained in the Second Valencia Plan. agroecological transitionas well as various instruments Agricultural structures lawfacilitating access to land, modernizing irrigation and promoting research, innovation and knowledge transfer and public procurement of organic food.

At the moment 90% of organic citrus production is exported to the European Union.He considers it necessary to expand the Valencia and Spanish market in this sector.

He adds that linking Valencian citrus farming with agroecological values ​​can also have positive consequences for traditional Valencian citrus farming, as our land is associated with the proximity, quality and health values ​​provided by European standards.

In this context, it considers that agricultural organizations and cooperatives should be encouraged to promote the needs among their members. gaining the competitiveness of farms through restructuringbrings local productions together with the international market.

On the other hand, in the context of climate changeIt advocates a high quality and diversified agricultural production (both product and varieties of each product) suitable for the hydro, edaphological and climatic conditions of the region where it is located.

The Commission also adds that progress in implementing technical improvements, but above all improvements in cultural and organizational practices, is “irreparable”. irrigation management, soil management, fertilization and plant health.

He points out that agricultural extension services play a key role in this, alongside transfer and cooperation initiatives between universities and research centres, particularly IVIA, irrigation societies, professional agricultural associations and farmers.

It also calls for legislative changes that advance worker protection, such as “honoring” the citrus industry’s work and increasing penalties for worker violations in the field, limiting the actions of temporary employment companies, and collective bargaining liability. promoting unionization among collection and warehouse personnel.

The Commission is also calling for a national citrus cross-professional call to strategically address the marketing campaign from the outset, supporting promotional campaigns to increase domestic consumption and providing more information to citrus growers.

“Sustaining and promoting their consumption and engaging the next generation of consumers through coordinated promotional activities should be one of the most pressing and urgent priorities,” the opinion concludes.

The creation of this special commission, on the recommendation of the Unides Podem group, was approved at the plenary session of the Valencian Courts on 18 June 2020. The commission responsible for conducting the working sessions was chaired by the deputy Unides Podem. – United Left, Beatriu Gasco.

The opinion was drawn up after six months of work based on a roadmap agreed upon by all parliamentary groups. It has had the participation of 53 experts from the citrus production sector and is making a strong, operational interprofessional call that develops publicity to ensure the survival of the citrus sector in the Valencian Community.

“Mindset Change”

Gascó says, “the conclusions of some experts are an essential tool for the survival of the industry. changing mindsets in the industry”. Dialogue with interested parties has shown that the needs of the sector are “strengthening Intercitrus, compliance with food chain law, agroecology as a current and future model for both drought resilience and climate change ally”. Strengthening research in the face of climate change, especially in the fight against pests and diseases, improving working conditions in fields and warehouses, respecting the principle of community choice or ending the ordinance. pinion and promote non-bone-causing varieties,” Gascó explains.

The commission, supported by the Unides Podem-Esquerra Unida parliamentary group, has been one of the largest in terms of experts who have passed to photograph the reality of the citrus industry and therefore most capture its real need. .

These are experts from the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition; Sustainable Economy, Productive Sectors, Ministry of Trade and Labor; Intercitrus, Citrus Management Committee and Ailimpo; UPA, Farmers and Farmers Union, AVA and Asaja, Vila Real Independent Farmers Association; CSIC; Levante Official College of Agricultural Engineers; Valencia Community Agrifood Cooperatives, Anecoop, San Vicente Ferrer Benaguasil Rural Cooperative, Vila-real and Copal Catholic Agricultural Cooperative; SATs Picamon Berries and Spanish Oranges; Valencia Polytechnic University, Miguel Hernández University; Protected geographical indication Valencia citrus fruits; CCOO and UGT; Job audit; IVIA; Asucova, Mercadona, Consum, LIDL Spain and Carrefour; Mediterranean Agroforestry Institute; Hemp and Che Oranges; CAECV; AVASA; innoland

Therefore, the working commission included people from research, teaching, cooperatives and rural areas such as Jorge Cañamás, Enrique Bellés, Joan Mir, Paco Borrás Escribá, José María García Álvarez-Coque, José Navarro Pedreño, Elena Meliá, Soledad. Montaner, Cristina Vitorio, Ana Cano, Nacho Felis, Pep Rosselló, Antonia Soto, Maria Ángeles Froner, Manuel Talón, Alberto Urbaneja, Raúl Moral, Guillermo Palau, Rosa García and Lorena Tudela, among others.