€1.107bn farm aid as Spain faces cost protests

Farmers in Spain are preparing protests over rising production costs, with diesel a particular concern. In Córdoba on Thursday, 24 September, Agriculture Minister Luis Planas said the government would take further action to stop higher costs reaching shoppers.

Planas said several ministries were working ahead of next week’s Council of Ministers. He has already met fishing and farming representatives, food businesses, fertiliser makers, animal-feed producers, farming organisations and agricultural co-operatives.

The government has approved a €1.107 billion support package for farmers and the agri-food sector. Of that, €665 million is for fertiliser, and 75% has already reached the bank accounts of about 250,000 farmers in Spain, Planas said.

He said rising prices for oil, fuel, gas and fertiliser affect food industry prices. Transport and logistics also help set the final price paid by consumers.

Alongside temporary support, the government is preparing a National Fertiliser Plan. It is intended to improve how fertiliser is used and cut the volume needed in production.

Planas also pointed to the lack of workers in farming. Water and the availability of staff are the two issues he said repeatedly arise on farms and in co-operatives, while farming organisations and co-operatives use job boards to fill vacancies.

Topics: Agriculture · Politics · Economy

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com