The cultivation of the fig tree, which has seen a gradual drop over the last decade because of its lack of profitability, is about to receive another blow this time perpetrated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment, which has demonstrated its lack of involvement by refusing to authorize the use of Hydrogen cinnamide (Dormex).
ASAJA Alicante - Young Farmers, along with Albatera´s City Hall, cooperatives, exporters began the necessary steps two months ago to achieve an outstanding warrant for the use of products under the same circumstances and under the same conditions as was obtained in Portugal. The Department of Agriculture issued a favorable technical report, which has been used for two years in neighboring countries such as Portugal, another country that granted exceptional authorization. However, the Ministry has surprised everyone with evasive answers and verbal responses denying permission.
"What we need are politicians able to provide solutions to the problems people are facing. The Minister should know that this product prevents the fruit from falling to the ground when there is fog and other weather-related effects," says the chairman of ASAJA Alicante, Eladio Aniorte, which specifies that the product "has no other substitute and it is vital to get proper development of the fig tree, which does not overlap the production and availability of the product in stages to promote sales."
For all these reasons, farmers consider the exceptional authorization absolutely necessary for the economic future of the sector. In fact, they made it very clear in writing to the Ministry that if they do not get it, they will start pulling out varieties due to the lack of profitability. This would result in a very grim picture for workers with economic losses and wages in the region.
Other effects of not being able to use Dormex are a delay in maturation, excessive production concentration and market collapse, with the consequent economic losses caused, which can lead to the complete lack of profitability of the sector. Studies on the impact on the environment, birds and leaching to groundwater have shown not to constitute any risk.
ASAJA Alicante - Young Farmers, have prepared plans to use this product with teams of 4 or 5 workers who would be responsible for supplying the product throughout the region to ensure that only the necessary amount of product is given and for it to never exceed recommended limits.
"In the European Union the rules on the use of products is very strict, which we further support to ensure that the quality of our food is the best in the world, well above that achieved in third countries. However, these rules must be the same for all cases not to incur in dumping and hampering the farmers' work," says Eladio Aniorte.
Source: ASAJA Alicante