SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 17 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Association of Farmers and Ranchers of the Canary Islands (Asaga Canarias Asaja) expresses its disappointment over the “regrettable decision” made by the Governing Council of the Canary Islands to remove the current Director General of Agriculture, Javier Gutiérrez Taño. This decision comes amid the ongoing crisis in the banana industry, which has sparked a divide between proponents and opponents of the Non-Law Proposal (PNL) aiming to impose limits on production per hectare in an effort to curb the decline in prices at source, which has resulted in significant revenue losses.
This initiative received unanimous approval last August from the Agricultural Commission of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, backed by all political parties, professional agricultural organisations (OPAS), and two of the six OPPs under Asprocan that collectively represent 47% of the production, as stated in their announcement.
Asaga Canarias Asaja deems Gutiérrez Taño’s dismissal “inequitable and intolerable,” asserting that during his tenure of one year and two months, he showcased “skills, commendable effort, and a strong dedication to the sector.” Consequently, the news of his unexpected removal has been akin to “a bucket of cold water.”
In this context, they note that “his removal, without a suitable replacement prearranged, is an irresponsible action that not only creates a vacuum but also undermines a crucial area within the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Sovereignty of the Government of the Canary Islands, especially given the current tension within the banana sector.”
This agricultural organisation believes that “the interests of small and medium-sized producers, who constitute the majority of banana growers, cannot and must not be jeopardised for the sake of securing a few votes, irrespective of which political party is in power.”
They contend that “crafting political strategies to benefit a minority group disrupts the unity demonstrated during the PNL vote, fuels malpractice, the informal economy, and sustains the privileges of a minority. As advocates for the common good and the professionalisation of agriculture, we cannot condone it.”
Measure II Aid for PGI banana producers, part of the specific support measures for the agricultural sector programme (POSEI), clearly outlines that to qualify for the 141 million euros, certain requirements must be adhered to: a maximum production limit of 420,000 tonnes, corresponding to a total area of 11,200 hectares with an average yield of 37,500 kilograms per hectare.
This regulation has been in effect since 2007 and currently governs the allocation of funds, although there are now proposals to “upend” it, warns the employers’ association.
THE BANANA SECTOR, ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
The area dedicated to banana cultivation has dwindled in recent decades to 8,743 hectares, according to Asprocan’s data. More concerning is the sharp drop in the number of applicants for aid, which has plummeted from 11,108 to 7,362 over the past decade.
This decline is indicative of the consolidation of larger farms while smaller family-run operations are diminishing. In 2023, production reached record levels, nearing 460,000 tonnes.
The approved PNL suggests limiting aid to banana producers to 65,000 kilos per hectare, aligning with the restrictions set by POSEI on cultivation areas for other sectors like export tomatoes, fruits and vegetables, wine, potatoes, livestock, and ornamental crops, to qualify for European funding.
Nonetheless, Asaga Canarias Asaja cautions that it will persist in demanding the implementation of the PNL agreed upon by all parties, ensuring that the viability of the banana sector remains intact and trusting that reasonable judgement will prevail over any attempts to destabilise this critical control measure, deemed “essential and urgent” for the sustainability of the archipelago’s primary export activity.
