Spain: FEPEX works in production, quality, promotion, markets and trade policy in 2016
The Spanish Federation of Producers and Exporters of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and Live Plants action plan for this year, as part of their assembly. FEPEX will act in several areas involving their companies. In production, will work to improve the availability of plant protection products. In quality, we will work to minimize the negative consequences of the proliferation of private production protocols. In trade policy, FEPEX maintain an offensive posture in the case of trade negotiations with non-EU countries with high purchasing power. The fair Fruit Attraction will be the main measure of promotion. Fruits and vegetables already account for 66% of Spanish agricultural output and exports grew by 10%.
The FEPEX Assembly has met to analyze the evolution of the sectors represented and approve the Plan of Action of 2016, which actions are related to the field of production, quality, markets, promotion, as well as land, commercial and social and labor policy.
The meeting analyzed the behavior of the main macro in the fruit and vegetable sector, among which the positive evolution of exports, an increase of 10% in 2015 compared to 2014, surpassing the 13,000 million euros, according to forecasts by FEPEX based on Customs data until October. Sector participation in agriculture, which has increased in recent years was also analyzed, and assuming 66% of the final crop production and 39% of final agricultural production (in which all sectors are included and livestock), as well as participation in agricultural employment, accounting for 50%, reflecting the growing data, both social and economic importance of fruit and vegetable crops.
In the area of production, the assembly considered a priority to improve the availability of plant protection products, so that a level playing field between EU producers and third countries. In quality, we will work to minimize the negative consequences of the proliferation of private production protocols, which are assuming major obstacles to functioning of the single market and increases in costs and burdens for producers and operators of origin.
In the area of markets and trade policy, in 2016 FEPEX maintain an offensive posture in the case of trade negotiations with non-EU countries with high purchasing power such as the United States or Japan or countries that offer opportunities for some sectors as China, South Africa and Mexico, so that an actual opening of these markets occurs and phytosanitary barriers to exports are reduced.
In promotion, in 2016, FEPEX will continue to work to strengthen international fair of fruits and vegetables, Fruit Attraction, the main measure of promotion. The fair Fruit Attraction, organized by FEPEX and IFEMA is registering a positive performance since it began in 2009 and the outlook is positive for the eighth edition, to be held from 5 to 7 October.
The FEPEX Assembly was closed by the Secretary General of Agriculture, Carlos Cabanas and the director general of Agricultural Productions, Fernando Miranda, whom the interest of the sector moved in certain measures of agricultural policy, and organizations and associations of producer organizations supraautonómicas supraautonómicos and task forces, under the National Rural Development Programme.
The FEPEX Assembly consists of representatives of the 30 integrated partnerships, implemented throughout the country and grouped into four sectors: the production and export of fresh fruits and vegetables, majority sector in the Federation, potatoes, fruits and vegetables prepared and flowers and live plants.
Source: FEPEX
