The protection of the agri-food sector and, therefore, of the rural world; the promotion of a healthy diet that improves the quality of life of people and also public health; the future of the livestock and fishing sector or how food production affects the environment are some of the issues that are on the table ahead of the 23-J elections. These are matters of the first order, which not only have to do with how the food we consume is produced and distributed, but also with how it is consumed. It is an issue that affects the bulk of the population: not only those who directly participate in the production and distribution chain, but also consumers, which, ultimately, we are all.
We have consulted the electoral programs of the different political parties that are running for the 23-J elections to find out what are the specific proposals they present to improve the health of the agri-food, livestock and fishing sector and to guarantee the population’s access to a quality food. We have found, in general terms, many generic arguments (sometimes interchangeable between the different parties, except Vox), approaches that have not quite landed and little specificity. We review some of these issues and detail the proposals that the different political formations that compete in the elections on July 23 present in their electoral programs.
While the PP assures that it will develop “strategic plans for the main sectors of agriculture, livestock and the food industry, in which the main threats that affect their development and sustainability are identified, and in which the necessary measures are established to reinforce their competitiveness and sustainability” does not quite specify what this initiative will consist of. Alberto Núñez Feijóo’s program points out that carbon agriculture will be developed, the viability of the agricultural insurance system will be strengthened, measures will be promoted to reinforce generational renewal and family farming and modern and sustainable irrigation will be supported, among other proposals.
Vox, for its part, has a section in its program that under the title ‘Produced in Spain’ insists on the need to “defend the livestock sector both in Brussels and against a national government and unions that have tried to directly attack our field.” To this end, the far-right formation plans to promote actions such as the immediate reinforcement of border controls for all products from third countries that reach our markets, the creation of a National Office to combat fraud in labeling and the review of free trade agreements signed with other countries, as well as “the review of trade relations with those countries that systematically practice unfair competition with respect to our products.”
Although on the one hand Vox is committed to “developing environmental policies from the triple perspective of sustainability (environmental, economic and social)”, on the other it speaks of an “implacable ecological bureaucracy that suffocates our farmers, ranchers, fishermen and industries ” and assures that “we will demand in Brussels the revision of the legislation to ensure a balance between the viability of the productive sectors and environmental and health guarantees, far from arbitrary ideological impositions in the name of the climate religion”. Finally, the training is committed to “promoting the primary sector and the economic activity typical of rural areas through the accelerated reduction of taxes for new and inherited farms.”
The PSOE, for its part, will continue to develop the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy), a common policy for all EU countries that is directed primarily at the agricultural sector and the rural environment. Some of the measures that will be carried out in this sense are, among others, the increase in resources for innovation, training and advice in the agri-food sector and for the renewal of machinery, the improvement of connectivity in rural areas to generate new development opportunities, the increase in subsidized loan lines and the use of renewable energy. The PSOE also points out that it will defend before the EU “greater control of imports so that imported products meet the same environmental, social and labor standards as European producers”, which will guarantee modern and sustainable irrigation and will continue advancing to achieve connectivity digital in 100% of the territory, in addition to promoting a Family Farming Law that favors and prioritizes this type of agriculture “that generates greater social value and links with the territory”.
As for Sumar, his program talks about promoting “a lively and active rural world.” This translates into actions such as the so-called “30-minute Territory” (which the PSOE also includes in its program), a medium-term objective that guarantees that all rural inhabitants have access to essential services in a maximum time of thirty minutes. To support entrepreneurship in the rural world, the training led by Yolanda Díaz is committed to a set of measures that include the creation of a specific start-up fund, technical and administrative support for entrepreneurs, as well as discounts on Security fees. of hired women, expansion of the coverage of professional training in rural areas and “improvement of the conditions of workers in the agricultural sector”.
Sumar’s program also advocates promoting the optimal use of fertilization and, in particular, organic fertilization, as well as crop rotation and the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energies. Reducing fuel consumption and improving the energy efficiency of agricultural machinery and buildings and ending the burning of agricultural residues are other points raised by Díaz in his electoral program.
Livestock has been, for many reasons, in the spotlight of the different political parties in recent times. On the one hand, due to the impact on the environment of the large-scale production of food of animal origin and, on the other, because institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO) have warned about the risks of consuming red meat. and processed suppose for the health. To stop this situation of climate crisis, the PSOE proposes to promote “a diverse, balanced and sustainable livestock, especially supporting extensive livestock for its social and environmental benefits.”
The Sumar program agrees on this point, which is committed to “promoting a sustainable extensive livestock production model in terms of resource consumption and sensitive to animals and the environment.” To do this, “the supplementary support they need to continue to exist” will be implemented and some measures to achieve this, such as the use of cage systems in livestock production, among others. Regarding intensive livestock, Sumar is committed to “strengthening the environmental and social controls and standards of large livestock farms to minimize their impact.”
Vox, for its part, accuses in its electoral program the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, of having made statements in foreign media against Spanish meat and refers to his role in the Government of Castilla y León when it comes to “relaxing the veterinary checks without compromising health guarantees”. It should also be noted that Vox includes in its program measures to defend hunting as an essential activity “for population control and for the protection of agricultural and livestock farms, as well as for its environmental and economic value.”
The PP, for its part, refers to the creation of a Sustainable National Plan for Livestock, Agriculture and Forestry, although it does not detail exactly what it will consist of.
The Sumar program is the one that dedicates the most space to detailing the different proposals to guarantee a healthy diet. Some of them are the regulation of unhealthy food advertising aimed at children, training on nutrition and healthy eating in primary education or the approval of state regulations to improve the composition and nutritional quality of menus in school canteens (with at least 45% fruit and vegetables). Sumar also advocates for promoting consumer cooperatives that allow “deciding and participating in the purchase of products that take care of our health, at affordable prices, in rural and urban environments, such as eco-markets or stores that offer second-hand products”.
For its part, the PSOE is committed to developing and promoting a Strategic Plan for Organic Production, with the aim of “promoting the consumption of differentiated quality food and organic production through specific promotional campaigns and collaborations with restaurants and hotels ”. It also proposes “strengthening training, information and awareness campaigns aimed at pointing out the importance of developing a safe, healthy and sustainable diet in schools and educational centers”.
As for Vox, its program proposes “stopping the implementation in Spain of the Nutri-Score frontal nutritional labeling system.” In this sense, the training undertakes to reaffirm its commitment to “stop the stigmatization of food that only responds to ideological reasons”, since “Spain must defend its producers, the economic engine of municipalities and provinces, against the globalist agendas and unfair competition”.
The PP, for its part, indicates, in this sense, that it will reinforce “the leadership and prestige in the international markets of Gastronomy, Spanish Food and the Mediterranean and Atlantic Diet, fundamental elements of the Spain Brand”.
Sumar’s program promises to “implement economic and informational measures that favor national and artisanal fishing grounds while informing the population about alternative species (of little current consumption) in each season, following biophysical criteria and environmental sustainability and socioeconomic”. It also proposes the recognition of fishermen’s guilds and artisanal fishing at a European level as part of the country’s cultural and heritage identity. Díaz is also committed to implementing measures to mitigate the effect of climate change and pollution in the sea, as well as guaranteeing a fair energy transition and decarbonisation in fishing (something that the PSOE also proposes), among many other measures that have as their objective “the fight against climate change and the improvement of the population’s diet, contributing to supply animal protein with less impact if a sustainable management of extraction, processing and commercialization is achieved”.
For its part, the PP is committed to “promoting generational change, support for marine and fishing research applied to the activity and the promotion of fish products as part of a healthy diet.” Feijoó’s party is also committed “to defend the interests of the sector in the European institutions, in the negotiation of fishing agreements and joint ventures with third countries, in the proposals of international organizations and in the face of other policies that are developed in the maritime-fishing environment”. In addition, a new regulation of the coastal strip will be carried out aimed at offering legal certainty to the facilities present in this area and to the different administrations involved in its management.
Regarding fisheries, the PSOE proposes defending sustainable fishing, promoting fisheries policies that allow the sector to be modernized, committing to a fair and equitable distribution of quotas and fishing opportunities, supporting the artisanal fleet, reinforcing oceanographic research programs and promoting the improvement of society’s perception of aquaculture products “as a complementary offer and not a substitute for products to supply the demand for fish”.
Finally, Vox is committed to “supporting traditional and artisan methods of production, cultivation, breeding and fishing to improve their competitiveness in the market, generate employment and settle the population of the territory”. Likewise, it proposes “incorporating fishermen into offshore wind development projects that are likely to affect fishing resources and the situation of fishing grounds, taking into account their points of view, economic activity and needs.”
