The CEOE denounces “the customs obstacles” to the entry of perishable goods in Tenerife by the port of Santa Cruzz and the Tenerife North airport. The employers show their “concern” about the delays in these products reaching island consumers in an already difficult situation due to the transporters’ strike in the Peninsula. Pedro Alfonso, general secretary of the Confederation of Entrepreneurs, appeals to “the willingness and sensitivity” of the officials. He compares them with “those of the toilets in the pandemic” because the situation “is quite complicated.”
Alfonso explains: “We have a permanent monitoring commission, the H24, we analyze transportation in ports and airports on the Island and we are very concerned.” That’s why, apostille, “We have addressed the Government of the Canary Islands and the State Subdelegation” so that they “seek solutions.” He underlines that “we are addressing these administrations because they have not fulfilled the promise of maintaining customs activity in ports and airports 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.” He highlights a specific fact: «Last weekend six containers were retained here, in the port, when another six from the same supplier, with the same inspection and documentation, were quickly dispatched in Las Palma. Can not be”.
Alfonso recalls that “we already run the risk of exceeding the expiration date of the product due to the delay in its transfer to the port of origin due to the carriers’ strike.” He appreciates that the same thing that happened in the previous episode happened over the weekend at the Ciudad de La Laguna airport. He details: «Retained merchandise that had to be taken to Gando and then moved to Tenerife to be distributed in trucks». Alfonso indicates that “the value chain between the business fabric and the consumer is offered by transport, which generates wealth and employment.” He values that “the carriers have not supported the strike here, but if they do we may have supply problems due to our dependence on foreign countries, even in raw materials.” Another factor against it is the war in Ukraine. The also candidate for the presidency of the CEOE warns that “An agreement must be reached between the administration and carriers to stop the escalation of the conflict.” He believes that “a reduction in the price of diesel” is essential for this.
“I ask customs officials for the same disposition as health workers in a pandemic”
There have been no withholdings
Sources from the Government Sub-delegation point out that “since the start of the carriers’ strike there have been no detentions of perishable products in the agriculture and fishing inspection services.” They clarify that “on Saturday we carried out an inspection service for those requests received due to delays in the arrival of ships.” In addition, they point out, «on Tuesday, due to the delay of the Teneguia volcanowe collaborated again to dispatch the perishable merchandise».
The sources value: “In case there was any retention it would not be for the plant health service.” They add that “in the requests of economic operators for extra collaboration for reasons unrelated to the inspection, everything possible has been done to solve the problems.” And they conclude: “We are a public service and we understand the current delicate situation.”
Transport companies consider the proposal for a single payment of 1,000 euros per vehicle “insufficient”. The sector demands the elimination of the Canarian tax on professional fuel. They threaten with mobilization and strike.
