Por Ismael Buendia 
The president of the Junta, Juanma Moreno, has participated in Brussels in the debate ‘Strengthening the position of farmers in the agri-food chain’ in the Plenary of the Committee of the Regions, where he has explained that there are three priority areas that are key to the future of the agriculture sector in Andalusia, such as water resilience, generational renewal, and the protection of farmers within the supply chain.
«It is important to understand that food sovereignty is food security and requires a strong CAP that does not lose resources despite the new challenges of the union. A CAP independent of other community funds and with the regions playing a leading role in its governance to ensure that the funds are adapted to the needs of each territory,» he added.
Moreno has pointed out that food security is crucial in protecting European citizens, for which it is essential to defend farmers so they do not leave the field, so that the CAP guarantees them fair incomes, and to make the sector attractive for the new generations to continue with this activity and not abandon rural areas.
Moreno, during his intervention in the debate ‘Strengthening the position of farmers in the agri-food chain’.
In this regard, he has stated that the food chain also depends on water, and he advocates that all European policies have a water vision, while also emphasizing the importance of ensuring supply by prioritizing the construction of hydraulic infrastructures with good planning and earmarked funds.
Likewise, he advocates for the modernization of hydraulic infrastructures and the promotion of precision agriculture so that farmers optimize every drop of water.
The President of the Junta has also referred to generational renewal as another challenge in the primary sector in Europe and has added that it is necessary to make it attractive to the new generations, providing them with income stability, with a solid CAP and sufficient economic support. «Agriculture must be profitable to be attractive and look to the future with innovation.»
In relation to this issue, he has added that to strengthen the position of farmers in the agri-food chain, it is necessary to strengthen contracts between farmers and buyers, strengthen the negotiating capacity of producers, and promote fair trade and sustainable practices.
«It is time for the EU to protect and defend farmers, breeders, and fishermen, who need less bureaucracy, rules that prevent third countries from importing to the EU under advantageous conditions compared to European producers, and greater certainty,» he said.
View of the Plenary of the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels.
It is expected that at noon Moreno will meet in Brussels with the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food of the EU, Christophe Hansen.
Andalusia has been working since 2019 to accelerate the necessary structural transformations and to progress and grow on sustainable pillars and drastically reduce pollution. An effort that is complemented by the work of Andalusian farmers and breeders.
The Andalusian government has launched an ambitious simplification plan that reaches agricultural tasks with measures such as simplifying the registration of agricultural and forestry holdings. In addition, it aims to ensure supply and provide water to those who supply healthy, sustainable, and sustainable foods, prioritizing the construction of hydraulic infrastructures with good planning and earmarked funds.