MURCIA. Summit in Murcia for agriculture. The regional president, Fernando Lopez Miras, has defined the agriculture of the Region as a “lifeline” for the current crisis while the Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, describes the task of agriculture and Murcia export as “vital and competitive” and both ensure that there is an important cooperation between the regional Executive and the Government of Spain.
The meeting took place this morning at the Palacio de San Esteban, the seat of the Murcian Government. This appointment is approached when the future seemed to darken for the exporters of the whole country: the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union seemed to suppose high export rates for Spanish companies and, at the beginning of the week, the news of a confirmation of the cabinet of Joe Biden to extend in time the imposition of tariffs to Europe and, therefore, to Spain, which could vary from 10% to 25%.
The minister wanted to send a message of tranquility to the sector due to its fears about Brexit. Plan he asserts that “everything is ready for exports to function normally.” And he recalled that on December 24 a cooperation agreement was signed that provides for zero tariffs and zero quotas for goods.
Vote of confidence for Biden
The head of Agriculture has denied that the new president of the United States does not consider lowering the tariffs that his predecessor established. He has referred to this matter as a “matter of time” and the fact that Biden has prolonged them as matters of schedule.
European funds protect us
A total of almost 600 million euros will be destined for innovation in the sector throughout Spain, explained the two leaders. The Region of Murcia has presented 58 projects from which ideas will be selected prioritizing irrigation and the renovation of greenhouses with environmental measures.
“The future passes through sustainability yes or yes”
The most repeated word by the minister: sustainability. This would include innovation in irrigation, infrastructure and, although it has remarked that it was not part of its competence, access to water.
In a context of figures, the Region of Murcia seems to have nothing to worry about: this last year, 483 thousand tons of vegetables have been exported from Murcia, which is equivalent to almost 800 million euros. Furthermore, despite the circumstances, the export sector in the Region has grown by 7.7%, 5,600 million euros.
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