José Antonio García, general director of the Inter-professional Lemon and Grapefruit Association, Ailimpo, has been appointed president of the EU's Advisory Committee on Fruits and Vegetables, which brings together the entire European sector. He is the first Spaniard to be appointed. García was elected unanimously at the meeting of the now called Civil Dialogue Group for Fruits and Vegetables of the European Commission and he has two years ahead to improve the dialogue between Brussels and the agricultural sector.
The dialogue group is formed by representatives of producers, trade and industries, as well as worker organisations and environmentalists. "The goal is for the Commission to have access to global information, allowing it to be aware of the implications of what is happening in the fruit and vegetable sector," explains García.
He believes that being elected president of this group is "a true reflection of the importance the Spanish horticultural sector has in Europe. From this forum we can carry out more effective lobby work; it allows us to be at the place where decisions are made."
However, the CEO stresses that the relevance which the Spanish sector currently has in Europe is the result of many years of hard work. "It has not been achieved overnight. We have always maintained an active presence in the European discussion forums. To me, this also entails a professional recognition for all the work we have carried out at Ailimpo."
García believes that the EC is aware, after recent meetings with the industry, that it is cheaper to include products in the rules for access to withdrawal prices, which may end up not being used if the market regulates itself, than having to grant aid when prices plummet.
Regarding the fact lemons remain outside the subsidy regulation for withdrawal (while mandarins and oranges have been included), José Antonio García explains that "the Commission admitted to me that lemons came very close to being included. They assured they would try to include them in the next aid package to be published during the first quarter of 2015."
The hope for the sector, since it appears that the Russian president will not lift the ban before the end of the year, is that the EU will manage to sign beneficial trade agreements with third countries. "We consider it a great opportunity for the European Union to change its policies, and for phytosanitary aspects to be part of the negotiations. Protocols should not be as strict as they used to, because they entail many obstacles to the entry of our products into their markets. The representatives of the Commission took note and my role will be, from now on, to keep track of what is still pending; to make sure that all promises are fulfilled," concludes García.
Source: ValenciaFruits.com