The Platform for the Defense of Tomato announces the start of the campaign after meeting with the Government of the Canary Islands.

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CANARY ISLANDS COMMITS TO PAY 5 MILLIONS OF EUROS TO PAY OFF THE DEBT OF 2010 And 2013 OF THE ADDITIONAL POSEI AND THE 9 MILLIONS REMAINING TO BE PAID IN THE NEXT PLAN 2015/2020.

The Platform for the Defense of Tomato, Fruits and Vegetables Canary Islands, positively valued the result of the meeting with the Government of the Canary Islands in which they were present, in addition to Paulino Rivero, Vice President José Miguel Pérez and the Minister and Vice-Minister of Agriculture.

Rivero recognized the importance of the tomato sector for the Canary Islands for what it represents economically and socially., especially the 20.000 jobs that depend on it, hence the response of the Government of the Canary Islands by both government partners.

The Government has assessed the disaster that would delay the start of the campaign even further. 2014/2015, not only because of the uncertainty it entails for workers but also because of the difficulties of complying with the seasonal program on which this crop is based..

[quote]The President will mediate with financial entities to inform about the agreement and articulate mechanisms that allow access to campaign credits and liquidity.[/quote]

So, in order to start the harvest as soon as possible, The Government of the Canary Islands has guaranteed the payment of five million euros, for which the respective orders will be published immediately.

Meanwhile this money reaches the companies, The president has committed to holding a meeting with the heads of the financial entities with which the sector operates, to inform about this agreement, and how the rest of the debt is paid to achieve and guarantee access to campaign credits, either by renewal or directly.

For the payment of 9,5 million euros remaining, The Government of the Canary Islands has already addressed the EU to request the extension of the additional file to the period 2015/2020 and have the legal coverage that allows the payment of this amount.

Also, next week, Rivero will address the Minister of Agriculture to inform her of the amount that the Government of the Canary Islands has contributed and demand that her ministry fulfill its commitment., as announced in the Congress of Deputies.

In the same way, Rivero assumes leadership in the demand for transportation compensation before the Ministry of Development, from the elementary right of the Canary Islands not only because of the insularity but as an Outermost Region.

To carry out these procedures and coordinate the actions, The Platform and the Government will maintain permanent contact to ensure the correct development of the campaign and work in the medium and long term to avoid finding ourselves in the same situation next year..

The Platform will try to meet with the Minister of Development next week, during the visit he will make to Gran Canaria for which he is carrying out the necessary arrangements to allow the meeting.

After knowing the agreement, the main company of La Aldea, The COAGRISÁN Cooperative announced that next week the planting of seedbeds will begin, which will mean the imminent hiring of about one hundred and fifty people.

The rest of the export tomato companies will begin to reschedule the campaign next week and establish plantings in order to adapt the delay and have the least possible impact on marketing..