ERC presents a motion to Congress to respond to the demands of the primary sector

The farmers’ protests this week are beginning to have results. This Friday, the ERC party presented a motion to Congress for the Spanish government to adopt a series of urgent measures to respond to the demands of the primary sector. The aim is for these measures to be debated in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food committee.

The demands of the primary sector

The republican group urges the government to carry out the necessary legislative changes to make the European Union’s community requirements more flexible in relation to the primary sector. In addition, they call for a modification of the law on the food chain to take into account the demands of the sector.

Allocation and distribution of CAP resources

ERC wants legal changes to be made to modify the criteria for distribution and state distribution of the resources that come from the Common Agricultural Policy (PAC). The aim is to prioritize small and medium farmers. They also urge the Spanish government to freeze the negotiation of free trade agreements with third countries, apply greater control to imports and establish mirror clauses in trade with countries outside the European Union.

Protection of local farmers

The purpose of the measures is to protect local farmers and prevent imports from other countries from affecting prices. European farmers consider trade agreements with third countries to be unfair competition, as these countries do not meet the same conditions as members of the European Union. They also demand a review of Europe’s trade treaties with third countries.

Meetings and actions of the peasantry

The peasantry has taken the lead in several mobilizations this week. After occupying Barcelona with tractors, the union representatives were received in Palau by the Government, which committed to a second meeting to address the demands. They also met with the President of the Parliament and with representatives of several parliamentary groups. Some actions were carried out by a small group of farmers who are not part of the unions, but are part of the 6F platform.

Introduction

The farmers’ protests this week are beginning to have results. This Friday, ERC presented a motion to Congress for the Spanish government to adopt a series of urgent measures to respond to the demands of the primary sector, and for them to be debated in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food committee.

The demands of the primary sector

The republican group urges the government to carry out the necessary legislative changes to “make the European Union’s community requirements more flexible”, both from a bureaucratic point of view and access to CAP aid for small and medium-sized farmers. Excessive bureaucracy is one of the main demands of farmers. They are also asking for the food chain law to be amended so that it takes into account the sector’s demands.

Allocation and distribution of resources

ERC wants legal changes to be made to modify the criteria for distribution and state distribution of the resources that come from the CAP, so that small and medium-sized farmers are prioritized. It also urges the Spanish government to “paralyze the negotiation of free trade agreements with third countries”, apply greater control to imports and establish “mirror clauses” in trade with countries outside the European Union. All this to protect local farmers and prevent imports from other countries from affecting prices.

Unfair competition and agricultural insurance

The fundamental problem with these agreements is that European farmers consider them to be unfair competition, since there are importing countries that do not meet the same conditions required for the production of those that are members of the European Union. Nor are they seconded, assure the European farmers, the conditions of the agricultural insurance system, ineffective for the protection of farming incomes. They demand an end to these grievances.

Meetings and actions of the peasantry

Farming has been the protagonist this week for a series of mobilizations. On Wednesday, after occupying Barcelona with their tractors and thus transferring the unrest from the countryside to the capital, union representatives were received in Palau. The Government committed to a second meeting to address the details of the demands. On Thursday they met with the president of the Parliament, Anna Erra, and with representatives of all the parliamentary groups except the PP and Vox. The action in Parliament was carried out by a small group of farmers, who are not part of the unions, but are part of the 6F platform. After almost three hours of meeting, they got the PSC, ERC, Junts, CUP, communes and Citizens to sign a resolution proposal that includes their requests.

conclusion

The ERC initiative in Congress is a first step to respond to the demands of the farming community. The mobilizations and meetings have highlighted the importance of addressing the needs of the primary sector and taking measures to protect local farmers. It remains to be seen how the discussions develop and whether the necessary actions are taken to meet the demands of the sector.