Since the first demonstration started three weeks ago in Don Benito (Extremadura), continue this week for all Andalusia the protest marches of the Spanish countryside. But you know why are farmers protesting and farmers from all over Spain? In this extensive report we are going to detail the complicated situation that this sector has been going through for a long time, as well as the requirements that the protesters are now asking for. Both at national and European level, the measures are related to various aspects (economic, fiscal, legislative ...). All those who are leading to agriculture to deep agony.
A very important sector in free fall
All the mobilizations that have happened in all Spain They are a good example of the relevance of the agricultural and livestock sector. In economic terms it represents the 10% of the national GDP, But it is not necessary to resort to this type of figures or to the volumes or millions of euros that it generates. Just review the great products that leave the Spanish countryside towards supermarkets in our country but also in others. Just when it passes through that intermediary between producer and consumer, one of the main problems which has a huge impact on the first stage of the entire process. Because the large fruit and vegetable distribution chains are in charge of setting some Prices that continue to impoverish the farmer.
That way, the primary sector -which includes both the owners of agricultural and livestock farms as well as the day laborers- does not cover costs of growing, caring for and harvesting products with your sales. This is the main complaint that justifies why are farmers protesting that go in free fall season after season. In the end, the only alternative left to many is to leave the land and find themselves doomed to job failure, something that also affects the rural depopulation. The new generations or young people who want to dedicate themselves to this family business see it very sacrificed and untenable, with even more losses than profits. Faced with this critical situation, the entire sector is united for the same cause in the demonstrations since the end of January 2020.
From Galicia to Murcia, the revolted Spanish countryside
In some regions, the marches with the presence of thousands of affected people have been less important than in other autonomous communities where agriculture is a most key sector. However, Galicia but also Murcia, passing through the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, La Rioja, Aragon or Madrid, the voice has been raised in the well-known tractorates. Roadblocks or main access roads to large cities, as well as loud scenes with banners included and shouts of protest. This is how the Spanish countryside has risen, the one that represents a large percentage of the wealth of Extremadura, Andalusia, Region of Murcia, Valencian Community and the two Castiles. Foods such as olives with their oil, wines, vegetables from the huerta or the numerous fruits grown in Spain have a brutal weight in the local, regional and autonomous economy. It is time to defend all this.
Why farmers protest: demands
And for this, we go to solutions proposed by the affected parties themselves. ¿Why do farmers protest?? Below we present the list with the problems and their corresponding palliative demands.
- Production costs. Since these are not compensated with the sales of the products, they ask that to fix the prices they have as a reference those same costs. In addition, in this same section, they demand the prohibition of selling at a loss throughout the food chain as it is considered abusive. Other measures here have to do with the existence of a mediator, the clear identification of the food origin and even that the regulations to sell directly to the customer (in the digital field, especially).
- Losses due to climate change effects. This is something that has already been seen by the most recent storms in the Spanish Mediterranean, in particular. Farmers ask for up-to-date agricultural insurance to this new reality, with greater public aid in this regard.
- High rates for energy expenses. This is a historical claim to avoid having to pay exorbitant amounts for the electrical energy used on farms. They thus demand to have two different powers depending on the season (irrigation or not, for example). In addition, they believe it necessary to complete the pending works in desalination plants and public investments in renewable energy.
Other problems and their claims
- The payment of taxes. In tax matters they claim reduce diesel bills by 35% and plastics and fertilizers by 15% in the objective estimation regime by which they are governed. This, in addition to other discounts.
- SMI rise. An issue that has generated much controversy has been the recent 5% increase in the Minimum Interprofessional Salary, which had already risen 22% in 2019. This has raised labor costs when hiring personnel for the field, something that jeopardizes profitability of farms. They request a reduction (to 14%) in Social Security quotas, which have also risen.
- Difficult competition with other foreign products. One of the most worrying issues has to do with food imports from countries where it is much cheaper to produce it. In the end, the price is much lower, there are not the same requirements as in the EU and it is paid by the Spanish farmer. In order to compete, ask much better evaluate the signing of trade agreements, as well as those prices.
- PAC budget reduction. Here the government of our country can do little. We are talking about a European policy in which a money cut meant for her. The news has been another hard blow for the sector, which calls for it to be maintained even stronger.
With all this being demanded from the sector, now you know Why are farmers protesting and what measures are they demanding? to alleviate the crisis it is going through. Will the new progressive coalition government manage to settle some points?
