Planas: 'We are working to achieve a European agreement that is favourable to our farmers, livestock farmers and fishermen'

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, greets one of his counterparts at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council of Ministers

Luis Planas stressed that "we do not like the European Commission's proposals, but we will work actively to reform and improve them" and acknowledged that "farmers, livestock farmers and fishermen deserve respect" and that this proposal does not respond to their needs.

The minister took part in the meeting of the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers of the European Union (EU) in Brussels, the first to be held since the European Commission presented its proposal for the new Multiannual Financial Framework. Spain comes to this meeting with a unanimous position, shared by the agricultural sector, the fisheries sector and the autonomous communities.

"We want the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) to remain European, without co-financing that generates inequalities in the internal market," stressed the minister, who pointed out three main reasons for criticism: lack of political focus, by converting common policies into simple spending programmes; insufficient funds, which do not respond to climate, geopolitical and competitiveness challenges; and the "uncertain governance", which, according to the minister, "introduces doubts in the distribution of responsibilities between the EU, the State and the autonomous communities".

Strong position on fisheries and defence of quotas

In the fisheries debate, Planas highlighted the relative stability in the scientific reports on the main Spanish fisheries in the UK, but warned of persistent problems in species such as sea bream and cod. "We want to avoid a stranglehold on our fisheries and I am confident that the Commission will accept a solution."

On Norway, he demanded the maintenance of last year's catches and warned that unilateral allocations of mackerel and blue whiting quotas by Norway, the UK and the Faroe Islands are "unacceptable".

"It is important to work on other partnerships to counterbalance this situation. If it is not corrected, the stability of our fisheries is at risk," the minister acknowledged.

Boosting key trade agreements for the sector

The meeting, which continues tomorrow in Brussels, will also address the international trade situation and the latest trade agreements reached by the European Commission.

On the United States, Luis Planas stressed that Spain's position is clear regarding the EU-US Agreement, "we don't like it, but we support it to avoid a tariff vacuum that would lead to great uncertainty. The worst tariff is uncertainty". The minister stressed that, although this agreement with the United States only affects 5% of Spanish agri-food exports, "it does so for very important products, such as olive oil and wine". Spain will therefore encourage the European Commission to continue working towards a "zero-for-zero" agreement on tariffs.

On this point, he stressed the importance of the agreement with Mercosur. The minister reiterated the great opportunity for Spain and Europe and recalled that the safeguards are the strongest of any EU trade agreement, "so there is no excuse for delaying its ratification".

In relation to China, Planas acknowledged that "although the tariffs imposed on pork in Spain are the lowest in Europe, we will continue to work to make them disappear, because they are unfounded" and stressed the importance of dialogue and negotiation.

Finally, with regard to Ukraine, the minister emphasised the importance of stability. "We call for specific monitoring of the small and vulnerable honey sector and we welcome Ukraine's alignment with EU food standards".

New aid for those affected by the fires

The minister announced the opening this week of the public consultation on the royal decree to establish direct aid to farmers and livestock farmers affected by the fires this summer.

This comes after Spain asked the European Union to mobilise the agricultural reserve.

In addition, Luis Planas pointed out that Spain has a strong agricultural insurance system to deal with this type of disaster, as well as the application of the Common Agricultural Policy to support those affected by force majeure.

Non official translation