The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development, Carmen Crespo, said today that It is necessary to reform the agreements of the European Union (EU) with third countries after Brexit, because the “trade circumstances” with the UK “have changed” negatively affecting fruit and vegetables.
This was stated during his speech at the inauguration of the XIV Ordinary General Assembly of the Interprofessional Organization of Fruits and Vegetables of Andalusia (Hortyfruta) in El Ejido (Almería), where he stressed that the United Kingdom was a “large importer” of Andalusian products, but this has been “modified”.
He stressed that the agreement between said country and the EU seemed “positive” and “not too harmful”, although “for now” there has already been a 10% “decline” in exports to the United Kingdom, which “is already a third country” that can claim products from other areas outside Europe. “We have a compelling reason” to request changes in these agreements with other countries so that they are not harmful, “said Crespo.
The counselor has also stressed the need to increase controls and inspections so that the quotas are not exceeded and the tariffs of products that exceed the tons agreed with the EU are paid, pointing out that it should be the Government of Spain that demands this from the EU.
He has also referred to other “geopolitical conflicts” that are “paid for with fruit and vegetables” like the Russian veto. He regretted that the Government has “thrown in the towel” with this situation, which, he has acknowledged, “is difficult and does not depend on them”, although he reiterates that it must put itself in the “first order of line” between the issues to be dealt with with the EU. In this sense, it has reported that a letter has been sent to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism to request that the next Spanish-Russian mixed commission introduce the Russian veto on the agenda. He has also referred in this line to the US tariffs, expressing their wish that in August they will cease to exist.
On the other hand, he admitted to those present that regional GDP depends “increasingly on the agricultural sector and especially on fruit and vegetables“, highlighting the” record “figures in exports.” The sector is pulling regional GDP at a time of complicated pandemic, with important ups and downs, “he stressed. However, he pointed out that there is a” saw activity “in relation to unbalanced prices that must be addressed, not only with better marketing, but also with market mechanisms.
Thus, he has indicated that a working group has been created for the extension of the rule for the withdrawal of second categories whose work may be concluded to make it effective in the next campaign, also insisting that the Board wants to work with the CMO to that quick product withdrawals can be made with prices in line.
“We have to give them more data, and that is what is being done, suggesting to the Ministry and the EU that these mechanisms have to be more and influence them more. Withdrawal has to be a common issue” and in a similar way to the of olive oil, although in this case storage cannot be carried out as they are perishable products, he said.
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