Compromís per Dénia defends Valencian citrus fruits and demands that the central government review the Treaty with South Africa
Compromís per Dénia presented a motion in defense of Valencian agriculture to the Ecological Transition Commission. Through it, they urged the central government to defend the revision of the agreement with South Africa before the European Commission, paying special attention to the Valencian citrus sector.
Next October 2022 will be the five-year deadline that allows the revision of the Treaty between South Africa and the European Commission. Within this period, the European Union can present its proposals for modification in the event that it proves detrimental to the Member States or that the established parameters have not been met.
According to Eva Ronda, councilor of Compromís: “It is evident that the Treaty with South Africa has been seriously detrimental to Valencian agriculture with imports that have represented unfair competition. We are at a crucial moment in which the treaty has to be debated and reviewed and there is a key opportunity for the demands of the sector to be met by the central government and the European Union, with the aim of improving the conditions in which we compete. ”.
The Compromís motion emphasizes the serious economic damage to which the Valencian citrus industry has been affected, as well as the devastating effects of the entry of new pests. In addition, they consider a "contradiction" the import of large quantities of citrus from South Africa in contrast to the objectives of climate neutrality and the necessary evolution of the food system towards a sustainable model.
Finally, Ronda has also valued the task that is being carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture led by Mireia Mollà. As he states: “For the first time in the accounts of the Generalitat there is a line of aid for farmers affected by the cotonet plague. In addition to this, the Valencian is the autonomy that contributes the most money to agricultural insurance to help producers. It is also necessary to emphasize the commitment of the Ministry in the biological fight against pests with an investment of 14 million”.