Nagato9“The current compensation of 25% instead of approaching the Peninsula, Not only does it distance us but it does not allow us equal conditions with national producers.”

The Platform thanked the minister and the Government Delegate for the speed with which the resolution of the transportation of 2013.

In the meeting held with the holder of the portfolio, Ana Pastor, representatives of the Platform for the Defense of Tomatoes, Fruits and Vegetables Canary Islands, They explained to him that the drastic cut in transportation compensation is collapsing the viability of the sector.

The future of export fruits and vegetables, for its maintenance and possible diversification to new products, lies in fair transport compensation in accordance with the Royal Decree 349/2011, of at least the 70% of the type of transport cost, they exposed.

The Minister of Development and the Government Delegate in the Canary Islands, María del Carmen Hernández Bento, informed the Platform delegates of the imminent approval of the Ministerial Order establishing standard costs, having already completed all the necessary reports.

In this way, The Ministry of Development will publish “immediately” the order that allows payment of aid for the transportation of fruits and vegetables corresponding to 2013. However, Pastor indicated that he does not see an increase in the percentage possible since he does not have any budget item for it..

The Platform explained to the minister that not knowing how much the percentage will be for the campaign represents a very serious problem in facing transportation costs., reminding you that the objective of transportation compensation is to “equal the peninsular producers”, cover the condition of insularity and the Outermost Region.

The “double” cuts that the sector has suffered in this regard have been the main obstacle to the development of the activity.. Like this, has gone beyond 55% -the % highest subscriber in the year 2010- to the 25% in later years, in which production has also decreased considerably.

The Platform explained to the minister the state of this sector, which employs some 20.000 people, as well as the two months that they have been denouncing the non-compliance of the administrations in the payment of aid, that deprives them of liquidity to be able to start the new campaign.

On the other hand, Pastor committed to “study with interest” and to continue working to increase this percentage in the next budgets, while recognizing that the cuts suffered by his portfolio and the debts of the previous government, They have not allowed him to make a greater effort.

Given the minister's response, The Platform positively valued the imminent publication of the resolution on transportation and the deference for its attention in making room in the agenda to receive the representation.

However, Next Friday, the Platform will study the failure to achieve the objectives and decide what the next actions will be., since transportation compensation is essential to compensate for the costs caused by the remoteness and insularity of the autonomous community., fact also recognized in the Constitutive Treaty of the European Community.