FEPEX transfers to the Minister a proposal to meet the challenges of the fruit and vegetable sector

FEPEX has transmitted to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, the main challenges of the fruit and vegetable sector, which includes the exit of the United Kingdom from the EU, third Spanish export market; the application of the CMO in Spain, and the insecurity over the supply of water resources in the main producing regions, proposing a set of measures with specific actions to modernize the farms, which will improve the competitiveness of the sector.

FEPEX transferred to the Minister the need to improve the competitiveness of the sector to face the globalization of the Community market, and the strong growth of competition both intra-community and third countries. For this reason, and within the framework of the application of the CMO in the fruit and vegetable sector, FEPEX considers it a priority to focus funds and operational programs on investments to improve farms, which includes investments in physical assets, the main measure of financing of the modernization of the sector. The Federation also stressed the importance of facilitating the establishment of producer organizations (POs) and PO associations, highlighting the strategic nature of the role that these associations should develop in the sphere of production and marketing planning.

In the field of production, FEPEX considers it essential to resolve the insecurity generated in the main producing regions regarding water supply, as well as the need to improve the availability of phytosanitary products.

The meeting also served to highlight the desire of both FEPEX and the Ministry to promote the modernization of holdings as well as exchange views on the regulation of unfair business practices, and the future project of the European Commission to regulate them through a Directive Europe.

In the international sphere, FEPEX stated that the departure of the United Kingdom from the EU in March 2019 will have negative implications for trade, considering the adoption of specific measures to minimize the impact of possible customs or phytosanitary controls on logistics costs. and the quality of service to customers.

The Minister and FEPEX have agreed to maintain close collaboration in external promotion activities, such as the participation of the Ministry in international fairs such as FRUIT ATTRACTION, which, organized by FEPEX and IFEMA, will be held from October 23 to 25, and will be inaugurated by the minister, being foreseen, in addition that the Ministry develops an intense programming of activities.

On behalf of FEPEX, the President, Jorge Brotons, the Director, Jose María Pozancos and the Secretary General, Jose María Zalbidea, attended the meeting. And on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, together with the Minister, the General Director of Agricultural Production and Markets, Esperanza Orellana and the Director of the Cabinet, Juan Prieto, intervened.

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➡️FEPEX estimates that the value of Spanish fruit and vegetable exports in 2017 will be € 13,000M