For more than two years, the Government has rejected a proposal approved by a large majority of the Senate in December 2017 to create a distinctive label for citrus fruits of Spanish origin. The idea behind this is to promote the consumption of domestic fruit over imports from third countries.
Compromís (one of the parties in Valencia's coalition government) has asked the Pedro Sánchez Executive to explain the reasons why the motion has not been adopted. "As with other foods, it is important that people know what they are buying and where it comes from, since there are too many cases in which oranges exported by South Africa are labeled as Valencian or left without a label at all, and this is something worth taking into account, since the sanitary controls and treatments differ per country," said territorial senator Carles Mulet.
In addition to helping consumers identify the local product and its unique qualities, the initiative also called for regional governments and the producing sector to collaborate in the organization of promotional campaigns and to urge European and state authorities to tighten sanitary controls at the border to prevent the entry of vectors, harmful agents and health issues.
In a statement, the nationalist party has said that "the local production should not be affected by the arrival of products from third countries, given how the approval of the Trade Agreement with countries like South Africa has taken a toll on the sector."
Source: abc.es
