Primary sector, first sector

November 5 2020 (13:13 WET)
Updated in November 5 2020 (13:13 WET)

 

From time to time, we are stirred by news that reveals the enormous difference that often exists between what we pay when purchasing an agricultural product in a commercial establishment and how little the farmer receives for it. Most of the time, the difference is scandalous because the lion's share remains in the food distribution circuit, when it is only fair that the producer receives adequate remuneration for their important and arduous work, which consists of producing food for the rest of the population.

Currently, economic reactivation plans due to the pandemic emphasize digital transformation or the green economy, but the truth is that we need to eat several times a day, so citizens can also place the primary sector on the agenda of collective priorities. To do this, it is enough to behave as responsible and demanding consumers with quality and pay fair prices to producers. Thus, each of us will contribute to a powerful agri-food sector, generating wealth and employment.

Our commitment is needed to be able to eat healthily and have the best products on the table, preferably organic and locally sourced, and to follow a Mediterranean diet with the best from the garden, livestock, and fishing. A commitment to a rural development policy that ensures the creation of stable, well-paid, and sustainable economic activity, facilitates generational turnover, and promotes the role of women in the rural world. Only in this way, and by receiving decent prices, will the weight of the primary sector in the Gross Domestic Product and employment increase.

I cannot fail to recognize the great work done by farmers, ranchers, cheesemakers, and fishermen in the islands of Lanzarote and La Graciosa and in the rest of the country, in a sector considered essential during the first State of Alarm decreed by the State Government. I am aware of the very high dependence on the exterior for the supply of food suffered by the two islands that I represent in the Senate, as well as the imperative need to advance towards food sovereignty and self-sufficiency in a scenario of economic diversification.     

I also have on my agenda and keep in mind the demands of the sector in my land, such as having agricultural irrigation with quality water; increasing aid to vineyards and the local marketing of fruits, vegetables, roots, and food tubers; or studying the feasibility of transforming and marketing cochineal. Also the demands of ranchers and fishermen, among which are combating illegal fishing and sales, demanding a larger fishing quota for the Canary Islands for both tuna and bluefin tuna, or increasing to 20 the number of Canarian tuna vessels authorized to fish in Madeira waters.

However, humanity faces two major challenges: the fight against climate change and the fight against the loss of terrestrial and marine biodiversity. The latter is crucial because this process seriously jeopardizes food security. We must be aware that biodiversity is the basis on which to sustain the preservation of a living and dynamic rural environment, providing essential environmental services for life and contributing to improving the functioning of the food value chain.

However, from the Government and Parliament, we must persevere in the defense of the primary sector and small and medium-sized producers, because they are the guarantee of maintaining the population in the rural environment and producing quality food. But, on the other hand, with adequate support, farmers, ranchers, and fishermen will be able to face the new challenges related to the preservation of biodiversity and climate change in the transition towards a sustainable and innovative model. They are the primary sector.

Fco. Manuel Fajardo Palarea, senator of the PSOE for Lanzarote and La Graciosa.

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