SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Nov. 17 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Canary Islands Farmers and Livestock Association (ASAGA Canarias ASAJA) has appealed this Wednesday to the farmers of La Palma to avoid carrying out, as far as possible, activities in the greenhouses such as cleaning, collecting fruit or irrigation due to the danger currently posed by this type of facilities located in the exclusion zone.
The employer recalls that the affected structures support large volumes of ash and it cannot be guaranteed how long they can stand before collapsing.
“It is important to prioritize the safety of workers above all else avoiding unnecessary risks. We are aware that it is not easy to make this recommendation when it comes to the livelihood of farmers and families who depend directly or indirectly on these crops, but one the loss of a life is not replaceable. The situation is serious enough to have to mourn another death after the death of a person last week, “he says in a note.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Government of the Canary Islands is working on measure 5.2 to Support Investments for the Reestablishment of Agricultural Land and Production Potential Damaged by Natural Disasters through the Rural Development Program (PDR). that would allow to reestablish the agricultural structures affected.
Likewise, it seeks to shield aid from the Canary Islands Agricultural Productions Support Program (Posei) with the intention that these funds are not lost, even though sales levels have dropped as a result of the volcanic eruption.
Regarding measure II of this program of Aid to PGI Banana Producers, the objective is to preserve the reference quantities and exempt producers from the obligation to market a minimum of 70% to collect all the aid.
In this way, people who have lost their farms could keep the reference amounts for five years to start the activity in another location.
ASAGA Canarias is aware that 18 EU member countries have shown their willingness and commitment to support the recovery of La Palma and they trust “that it will be so”.
