The president of Aragón, Jorge Azcón, proposed this Tuesday that a meeting of the conference of presidents of the Autonomous Communities be held together with the Spanish president, Pedro Sánchez, so that the national leader can listen to “the just demands” of farmers and ranchers that these days they have taken to the roads as a way of protesting their situation.
During his visit to the International Agricultural Machinery Fair (FIMA), inaugurated today at the Zaragoza Trade Fair, the popular man stressed that the primary sector “has reasons” to mobilize.
According to him, its activity represents “a very important part” of the GDP and employment in Aragon, especially in the most depopulated regions, from which its social and economic value emanates.
For this reason, he considers that the proposals of farmers and ranchers “have to be listened to” and advocated calling a conference of presidents in which Sánchez and the regional leaders get together to seek “urgent solutions” to problems such as the increase in the costs of production, the excess of bureaucracy associated with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) or unfair competition.
“The president of Spain and all those from the autonomous communities, without political colors, should get together to find solutions because the problems in the countryside, the excess of bureaucracy that the sector endures with the new CAP, the unfair competition exerted by other products… They deserve urgent solutions,” he insisted.
Azcón also highlighted the efforts made by his Executive, with a 40% increase in the budget allocated to aid for the agricultural and livestock sector, which has gone from 40 to 57 million euros.
In addition, he detailed specific measures such as the increase in the percentage of loans destined for Aragon, since, he assured, the community will receive 60% of the funds for ICO-Saeco loans: 160 of 260 million euros. However, he did not want to refer to the direct aid that his party promised in elections and that is included in the PP-Vox Government agreement.
The setting was favorable to address the topic. In its six decades, FIMA has established itself as a leading fair in the agricultural sector in southern Europe. Until the weekend, it is expected that up to 200,000 visitors will parade through its 100,000 square meters, who will be able to see the novelties of the almost 1,300 exhibitors from 35 countries gathered in the Aragonese capital. It is estimated that its economic impact will be around 350 million euros.
Initially, the main agricultural organizations (UAGA, Asaja, Araga and UPA) had called for a protest rally in the vicinity of the site, but late yesterday they canceled it so as not to hinder its development. “We want FIMA to be a meeting point for a sector with many challenges and for its image to benefit and not be one of confrontation,” said José Manuel Roche, from UPA, the day before.
Even so, a hundred farmers gathered amidst strong security measures at the doors of the venue, which did not prevent attendees from gaining access after some small delays. Once inside, some farmers showed their discontent at the passing of Azcón and the rest of the authorities by launching banners with their demands and shouts of “You have abandoned us!” or “Real help to those who need it!”
The day also included the participation of the Secretary of State for Agriculture, Begoña García. Before the press, he assured that the Ministry of Agriculture is listening to the sector, especially through agricultural organizations, and that they are working together with the autonomous communities and the European Commission regarding the flexibility of the CAP, the simplification of bureaucracy or mirror clauses.
Regarding the latter, he pointed out that they need to have a qualified majority in the Council of Europe. “No matter how much Spain or France asks for it, no matter how much Portugal also joins, we need the rest of the EU countries to also want mirror clauses, and there are countries that are not willing to accept them,” he added.
