The Spanish Senate's Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Committee approved a motion by Senator Javier Armas of AHI to amend the Penal Code, making the illegal import of tropical fruit, especially pineapple, into the Canary Islands a crime. The move aims to strengthen penalties for illegal entries that cause unfair competition and phytosanitary risks.
Armas stated that the approval was "a decisive step to protect the Canary Islands' primary sector, especially El Hierro's tropical pineapple industry, one of the island's key economic and social pillars." He emphasized the challenge of competing with fruit from countries with "very low" labor costs and "almost non-existent" controls, noting that production in the Canary Islands is conducted with "rigor, sustainability, and respect for the environment," which raises costs but guarantees "quality and health."
The approved motion proposes strengthening inspections at ports and airports, establishing a dedicated unit to coordinate Customs, the Civil Guard, and Plant Health, increasing sanctions, and directing the revenue generated toward improving plant protection in the islands. The document also suggests penalizing the import of fruit and vegetables that bypass official controls, noting that such practices pose a serious threat to biodiversity and to producers who follow regulations.
The senator from El Hierro highlighted cost differences as a key reason for taking action. He explained that producing one kilogram of tropical pineapple on the island costs about 2.50 euros, whereas imported fruit from other countries, often arriving irregularly, can cost as little as 0.40 euros per kilogram. He believes this gap threatens the economic sustainability of the crop on the island.
"This motion aims to give legal support to those who work in a clean, responsible, and sustainable manner. Defending the pineapple industry is a way to protect the future of the Canary Islands' countryside," concluded Armas.
Source: gacetadelmeridiano.com
