Follow Live Updates on Farmers’ Protests
Asaga and COAG-Canarias criticize the “exploitation” by supermarkets and the “unfair competition” from other countries.
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Feb. 15 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The agricultural organizations, Asaga Canarias and Coag-Canarias expressed their grievances on Thursday during a joint appearance before the Agriculture Commission of Parliament, highlighting the bureaucratic ordeal, steep rise in production costs, declining income and the impacts of the 2030 Agenda on the primary sector.
The president of Asaga, Ángela Delgado, stated that they are on the verge of giving up due to the overwhelming pressure. She emphasized that the distress began in 2020 as the situation was already dire, and the current grievances have further intensified the need to take to the streets.
She pointed out their inability to cover expenses, which hinders generational replacement as the youth see no future in unprofitable farms. Simultaneously, the veterans are being displaced due to the excessive bureaucracy. Delgado questioned the utility of this situation.
Moreover, she highlighted the proliferation of illegal constructions due to excessive bureaucracy, criticizing the ineffective laws.
Delgado also condemned the “unfair competition” from other countries, leading to the criminalization of farmers and ranchers, as the EU is seen as protecting the European environment.
She rejected the radicalization of the 2030 Agenda, blaming the central government for driving the current catastrophe in the countryside by pushing for earlier eco-friendly deadlines.
She questioned if society can afford to lose the primary sector, as it forms the basis of everything. She emphasized the importance of protecting the primary sector for a smart country and EU.
Delgado appealed to Parliament for support in the ongoing mobilizations, urging lawmakers and farmers to set aside political affiliations and stand united in support of the agriculture industry.
She cited the dire situation in the banana sector, where prices fail to cover costs, despite being a key driver of the Canary Islands’ economy.
Emphasis on Hydraulic Infrastructures
She stressed the need for prioritizing the development of hydraulic infrastructure due to climate change and the necessity for a cultural shift towards water conservation.
However, she expressed pessimism about the future, acknowledging the lost productivity and market positioning.
She highlighted the potential negative impact on food prices if production in the Canary Islands diminishes, emphasizing the vulnerability of the region in the global market.
The president of COAG-Canarias, Rafael Hernández, echoed the sentiments, emphasizing the need for strategic measures to improve profitability in the field, rather than just venting frustrations without a structured plan.
He criticized the primary sector being used as a bargaining chip in trade agreements, particularly with Morocco, pointing out the use of substandard phytosanitary products and the subsequent sale of tomatoes in the EU.
He voiced concerns over increasing wages, as it contributes to rising production costs, making it challenging to compete in the market, particularly against countries with significantly lower labor costs.
He emphasized the need for a fair income distribution and urged supermarkets to adhere to the payment terms stipulated in the food chain law, citing discrepancies in payment timelines.
The agricultural organizations are gearing up for two large-scale mobilizations in the Canary Islands after the carnival season, inviting all parliamentary groups to partake in the demonstrations.
