At the meeting, solidarity and the need for collaboration between all administrations were highlighted. The regional leaders have valued the information transmitted by the minister on the government's measures to deal with this health crisis situation. "Excellent meeting with the regional councilors and councilors," in which "unity and cooperation in the search for solutions for our sector" was revealed, he pointed out.
The minister commented that "we are facing a national public health emergency, such as the fight against the coronavirus epidemic," and that "we are going to get out of this situation by all rowing in the same direction."
He reiterated that food supply to citizens is one of the Government's priorities and that it is guaranteed, as President Pedro Sánchez pointed out yesterday.
Recognition of the work of the sector as a whole
In this sense, the minister has valued the response of the sector and praised the work and sacrifice of producers, workers and entrepreneurs in the agricultural and fishing sector, as well as distribution, in the face of this unprecedented health crisis, which has forced the Government to decree the alarm state.
He has highlighted the proper functioning and active collaboration of all the links in the chain to ensure supply. The minister has valued the presence and activity of the sector in this crisis, which "is being fundamental."
He stressed that "we are one of the three basic pillars of the functioning of Spain" and has encouraged civil society to support farmers, ranchers, fishermen and the entire food chain -as it already does with the daily recognition of the sanitary- since "with their daily work and sacrifice they supply food and drinks to the entire population. Initiative, he pointed out, which will have the support of the Government.
This sector is considered strategic according to article 15 of the Royal Decree 463/2020, which declares the state of alarm, and that establishes that the authorities will adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the food supply.
In this line, the minister has assured the autonomous regions that the retail trade associated with the agricultural activity, and that supplies the sector with inputs (seeds, fertilizers, ice, etc.), will continue to provide its activity to provide the necessary raw material and essential for its proper development. He recalled that yesterday a information note to clarify to the sector that there should be no problem.
Regarding the doubts raised by the majority of the autonomous communities about the transport of workers, the minister explained that he is in contact with the heads of Health, Interior and Transport, Mobility and the Urban Agenda to seek a solution, although it has affected that The limitations are intended to defend public health.
It has also informed the autonomous communities that the application period for aid from the Common Agricultural Policy will be extended until June 15 to give greater tranquility to the sector.
The minister pointed out that Spain will ask the European Commission (EC) for greater flexibility in terms to avoid the situation of the state of alert leading to non-compliance and the consequent loss of funds. It will also demand the EC the need to be flexible, since it will be necessary to reprogramme in rural development programs.
The holding of a Sector Conference in April has advanced to territorialize the funds, especially those related to rural development.
Regarding fishing, the minister explained that his Department closely follows the situation, both health and economic, of the different fleets, the evolution of fish consumption, to articulate the measures that are necessary. At the moment, it has not been considered necessary to establish temporary shutdowns, in order to guarantee the supply of the markets.
At the community level, he has indicated that he will urge the Commission that fishing quotas that cannot be consumed, as a result of the state of alarm, can be carried over to next year.
Maximum government support to the sector
As a consequence of the closure of hotel and restaurant establishments to deal with the pandemic, the minister has commented that some agricultural sectors are experiencing difficulties due to a decrease in demand and that he is monitoring the situation.
In order to carry out an accurate diagnosis and detect critical points, both in fishing, agriculture and livestock, the Ministry contacts daily with professional agricultural organizations, brotherhoods, shipowners, wholesale supply markets, industry and agri-food cooperatives, as well as with logistics and food distribution.
