A few days ago, the Secretary General for Agricultural Resources and Food Safety of Spain, Ana RodrÃguez, took part in the 29th plenary meeting of the Joint Committee for Fruit and Vegetables in Paris. The private sector, as well as the public sector from Spain, France, Italy and Portugal, are taking part in these meetings and have reiterated their desire to promote reciprocity measures in the European Union's trade relations with third countries, known as "mirror clauses."
During the meeting, professional representatives of the main fruit and vegetable sectors and the spokespersons for agriculture from the four countries that make up the committee also addressed the need to take steps toward the mutual recognition of phytosanitary products in those areas that share similar production conditions. There was consensus on the need for the member states to work towards greater harmonization, considering the sectoral requests to be very reasonable.
Attention was also paid to the importance of strengthening research and investment through the European Union's operational programs, especially to facilitate the sector's adaptation to the effects of climate change. Additionally, various initiatives to promote fruit and vegetable consumption were brought up for further consideration.
The committee reviewed the points discussed by the nine specific contact groups that met during the first half of 2024: tomatoes, strawberries, garlic, peaches and nectarines, apples and pears, citrus fruits, table grapes, pre-prepared convenience food and phytosanitary products.
In this context, the ministerial representatives encouraged professionals from the various sectors to collaborate in these contact groups in order to reach common positions on the different issues of interest.
The committee also analyzed the progress of the strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture in the European Union, which is being promoted by the European Commission. It underlined the strategic value of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in guaranteeing food security and asked for this policy to have adequate resources to meet its objectives.
For more information:
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Spain
www.mapa.gob.es