Agricultural producers and livestock keepers feel that the integration of tourism is progressing “at a snail’s pace” and fear its extinction if profitability is not achieved.
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Nov. 19. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The primary sector in the Canary Islands convened this Tuesday to scrutinise the “excessive regulations” enforced by the European Union (EU), which jeopardise the sustainability of farms. They are also advocating for an increase in funding to counterbalance the surge in costs and the unfair competition posed by third countries.
During a roundtable discussion held in the Parliament of the Canary Islands as part of the ‘Conecta Europa Conference’, Antonio López, the manager of Asocan and representative of Asaga, expressed disappointment over the limited impact that farmer and rancher protests have had across the continent.
“We feel deceived and targeted,” he emphasised, asserting that agriculture is being “criminalised” and the level of uncertainty is worsening, particularly with a Spanish Government where officials behave like “police officers.”
He endorsed the efforts of Narvay Quintero, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Canary Islands Government, as a “suitable representative” but stated that the primary sector is “being suffocated” by a Posei file that has been stagnant since 2007, along with regulations that are “impossible” to meet.
López estimated that the introduction of new regulations has resulted in a 60% increase in production costs, and while he acknowledged that the EU has “eased up somewhat,” there is still “limited flexibility” from officials.
“Excessive regulations are driving us out of the market, and digitalisation has become a falsehood; what they truly desire is exhaustive control over farmers, rather than improved profitability,” he remarked.
In his perspective, “they have overreached; people are fed up. This is not sustainable, and we must push back.”
Regarding the participation of the tourism sector, he stated that “significant progress remains to be made,” particularly concerning fresh produce. He denied that it is an “obsession” for farmers to penetrate that market, asserting instead that it is a “pathway for growth,” provided that agriculture is not treated as “an amusement at a fair.”
However, he clarified that farmers and livestock keepers are not “anti-Europe,” but rather advocate for a “closer alignment” with the realities faced by agriculture in the islands and a “renewed understanding of agrarian policy.”
Sergio Rodríguez, general secretary of Palca, expressed that the pace of change is “exceedingly slow” to the point of threatening the “disappearance” of sectors. He has urged a reduction in bureaucracy, as it has become “incredibly burdensome” and leaves little time for actual production.
He stressed that the circumstances are “unsustainable,” citing a 20% reduction in both producers and land area over recent years, which is more than double the national average. Consequently, he deems it essential to enhance the European financial record “to enable continuation and increased competitiveness.” “This is leading us towards collapse,” he remarked.
He highlighted the “unlimited pressure” placed on European producers that third countries are not subjected to, lamenting the absence of inspections in supermarkets and larger stores.
FARMERS ARE “THE GARDENERS OF THE EARTH”
Concerning tourism, he believes that “they ought to lend more support,” as farmers are “the gardeners of the earth.” Nevertheless, the integration remains “remarkably slow,” compounded by the observation that tourist firms are purchasing subtropical products outside prohibited areas.
Rodríguez fails to comprehend the “hypocrisy” of discarding agricultural surpluses in Europe whilst simultaneously importing goods, and he acknowledged that numerous farmers are turning to agrotourism due to the necessity to source resources “even from under the stones.” “We require additional funding to survive,” he indicated.
Omar Viña, vice president of Aegil and representative of the Maramajo Livestock Breeders Association (Lanzarote), stated that “Europe must remove its façade” and candidly assert that it desires a lower-priced shopping basket at the expense of imports. This reality leads to products arriving from abroad “without any regulation” and poses a health risk due to the use of phytosanitary products barred in the EU, which consumers are not informed about.
“Either we compete on equal terms, or they must provide us with compensation,” he commented, while bemoaning the “excessive paperwork” demanded from livestock keepers, to the extent that some “decline to apply for subsidies.”
He warned of the lack of generational renewal within the sector and the “labeling deceptions” prevalent. As for the tourism sector, he feels that “they should take further action,” noting that “numerous hotels exploit pricing” and some even engage in “deception” by featuring cheese in their menus that is not authentically Canarian.
Nonetheless, he stated unequivocally that we cannot “forego” tourism, which serves as a “crucial lifeline for survival.” “Dairy factories, if they do not connect with tourism, will ultimately vanish,” he added.
In his opinion, “Europe must adapt and make bureaucracy more manageable, rather than sending farmers and livestock keepers into a boxing match with their hands bound.”
FISHERIES REJECT OFFSHORE WIND
Lorenzo Brito, president of the Regional Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds, has asserted that the subsector is experiencing one of its “most challenging periods,” rendering it akin to “the ugly duckling” of the primary sector. He yearns for a programme akin to Posei for fishing.
He highlighted a “very grave issue” concerning the motorisation of vessels, as the EU believes that new engines generate a “greater impact” on the marine environment, when in fact the opposite is true. He warned that if there is no “reversal of policy,” the fishing fleet in the islands is set to vanish.
He advocated for the abolition of fishing quotas and firmly opposed the establishment of offshore wind energy “without prior studies,” arguing that wind turbines adversely affect biodiversity.
Brito also remarked that the Canarian fishing sector requires “transformation” and industrialisation to export products in canned, deep-frozen, or vacuum-sealed forms, which would additionally secure supplies for hotels.
He lamented the scarcity of fresh fish available in hotels and schools on the islands – “just a handful of bluefin tuna and little else” – and asserted the need for a “circular economy” linked to tourism. “Without tourism, a sustainable existence in the Canary Islands is unattainable,” he elaborated.
He also acknowledged the realities of climate change, evidenced by rising sea temperatures, increased occurrences of ciguatera, and the “tropicalisation” of fish.
