The National Rural Development Plan will be used primarily to cooperative integration.

AGRO-FOOD COOPERATIVES OF SPAIN CONSIDER THE PNDR A HISTORIC STEP IN FAVOR OF THE INTEGRATION AND CONCENTRATION OF SUPPLY.

At the meeting of the Governing Council of Agri-Food Cooperatives of Spain with the Minister of Agriculture, Miguel Arias Canete, The Cooperative Integration Law has been analyzed, the reform of the CAP, and issues that directly affect cooperatives such as taxation were addressed., internationalization and energy costs, among others.The president of Agro-food Cooperatives of Spain, Fernando Marcén, recognized the fundamental role of the Minister in the Cooperative Integration Law, and has reiterated that, to become a useful instrument, It must have an adequate budget that allows channeling the integration processes and ambitious qualification criteria for priority cooperatives., but achievable.

Regarding the reform of the CAP, from Agro-food Cooperatives of Spain, The need to have autonomous Rural Development Plans that are coherent and complementary to the National Rural Development Plan has been insisted on.. In such a way that the design of measures that could limit the implementation of the Cooperative Integration Law is avoided.. Agro-food Cooperatives of Spain consider that the National Rural Development Plan is a historic step in favor of the integration and concentration of supply.

At the same time, Fernando Marcén values ​​the definition of active farmer agreed upon at the Sectoral Conference and has insisted that aid serve to promote competitive agriculture, market oriented, creating jobs and favoring the concentration of supply.

Agro-food Cooperatives of Spain have reiterated their defense to expand the recognition of the figure of POs to all sectors as companies with a relevant size and capacity to operate in the market.

Regarding internationalization, Agro-food Cooperatives has insisted on the need for, due to its strategic nature, is considered a State policy in order to efficiently take advantage of public resources and initiatives.

Regarding electricity rates, Fernando Marcén has pointed out that they do not adjust to the specificities and needs of the sector, which makes us lose competitiveness compared to other countries, Therefore, a modification of the current system is necessary that takes into account the seasonality of the sector..

Finally, The sector's concern about possible tax reforms that would have a negative impact on the sector and cooperatives has been conveyed., in particular. Fernando Marcén has pointed out that a possible increase in VAT on food and other products would mean, just as it has happened in flowers and plants, a drastic reduction in consumption and would penalize precisely those companies, like cooperatives, that operate with total fiscal transparency.