"Disappointing and frustrating;" those were the words of the Union of Small Growers and Ranchers (UPA) of Castile-La Mancha to rate the response of the European Commission to the demands of the garlic sector, which has tried to stop the increase in the Chinese garlic import quota that will allow shipments of this product to increase by 20%.
This decision will cause "the current price crisis situation to worsen," according to the organisation. The UPA representative in Brussels, Javier Corrales, explained that the answer provided by the European Commission through the head of the Fruit and Vegetables Unit, José Zorrilla, is that they "should adapt to the new market circumstances."
The sector feels this to be a very negative move, as the Commission is facilitating a worldwide market liberalisation without taking into account the needs of its producers and the 5,000 families that make a living from the sector in Castile-La Mancha."
EC not even considering suspension measures
Despite this situation of market disruption and low prices, the European Commission is not even considering the suspension of import agreements to address the problems caused by low prices to Spanish producers. The institution also "warns that the garlic sector already has a higher protection level than other crops and that within five or six years it will have to be reduced, which is only causing even more uncertainty for the sector."
The only measure that the Commission is willing to consider would be the creation of a brand identifying European garlic from that imported; a quality seal. In this regard, the Commission calls on Spain to improve its marketing structures, promotion and labelling.
Fuente: Efe
