Spain: New measures to the EC for the dairy sector
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Isabel García Tejerina, has reported that Spain will ask the European Commission (EC) market further measures to improve the situation in the dairy sector. The minister hopes that in July, the Commissioner of Agriculture presents new proposals. García Tejerina made the announcement after a visit to the land La Remonta, along with the mayor of Santander, Inigo de la Serna, to mark the start of construction to condition a public park.
The minister highlighted the effort that has been made by the Government, implementing numerous measures for the dairy sector. In that sense he recalled the defense of the Spanish livestock that the government has been doing in the framework of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), in which Spain won 47.000 million euros, which guarantee the incomes of all farmers especially necessary for dairy farmers. Also in the field of the CAP it was decided to increase coupled aid to the dairy sector by almost 60%.
Similarly, she referred to other support to dairy farmers, as measures of market organization, recognition of producer organizations and, recently, the Agreement for Stability and Sustainability of the dairy cattle industry, signed with the whole chain. Another new ministerial initiative in support of the sector has been the approval of aid to farmers can refinance to ten years with one year grace period. Measures have also been boosted with the autonomous communities, to make feasibility studies for dairy farms with greater difficulties, and it has been working to arrange the first buyers so as not to distort the prices received by farmers.
During his visit to Cantabria, García Tejerina has also held a meeting with fishermen in Santona, to make an assessment of the fisheries sector in recent years, a period that the minister has described as “very positive”.
Thus, discharges in Cantabria have increased 20% in value and 26% by volume in 2015, data which the minister attributed largely to the policy promoted by the Government in collaboration with the fishing industry, characterized by responsibility and commitment to the care of fishing grounds, because it is in the interest of the fisheries sector. In this sense, García Tejerina recalled how at the beginning of this legislature Spain was threatened with closure of their community fisheries by overfishing which had been carried out. However, changing government policy, based on the best scientific reports and the monitoring of catches, it has resulted in an increase in fishing opportunities. “We care the present and especially the future of Spanish fishermen”, he assured.
During the previous day, García Tejerina met in Valdáliga, with the National Association of Cattle Breeders Race Tudanca, to celebrate the anniversary logo promoted by the Ministry as 100% native breed. The minister commented how in recent years it has been made a very important effort for the recovery of this species of great social, economic and environmental importance to Cantabria.
Source: MAGRAMA
