Spanish household orange consumption has decreased from more than 21 kilos of oranges in 2013 to less than 12 kilos just a decade later, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. At the European level, orange consumption has decreased by 20% in five years, according to data from the European Commission. If orange consumption continued to be what it was ten years ago, it would take almost half of Spain to produce the volume required to supply demand.
According to SOS Rural, an independent platform in defense of the rural environment, this loss of good eating habits is one of the biggest problems that Spanish producers and society's health in general face. "A small increase in the consumption of quality agri-food products, such as Spanish produce, is the best way to defend the health of citizens and our farmers," stated Natalia Corbalán, spokesperson for SOS Rural, who presented the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) "No farmers, no food" in Brussels, at the invitation of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).
Spain is the third EU country in terms of child obesity, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, 30% of Spaniards do not know what "ultra-processed" means and almost 60% cannot distinguish these products from other foods, according to a 2024 report by the Fruit Juice Science Center (FJSC). More than 20% of the Spanish diet now consists of ultra-processed products, according to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
In this context, SOS Rural calls on the European Commission to create a legal framework that protects agriculture and the rural economy in Europe. The organization also wants more attention to education and awareness about the importance of the European agri-food sector. "The best strategy to protect citizens' health is for the EU to guarantee food sovereignty and security," stressed Corbalán.
SOS Rural also advocates prioritizing safeguarding agricultural land to ensure food security. In addition, the organization wants a European Hydrological Plan to optimize water management.
They also call for the creation of a European Agricultural and Rural Economy Agency; a permanent authority that monitors and observes the protection of agriculture and the rural economy in the EU decision-making process.
After presenting the citizens' initiative, the SOS Rural delegation met with several European officials, who suggested that the organization become climate ambassadors under the European Climate Pact. This would allow them to promote and support EU climate change actions in their communities and networks.
For more information:
SOS Rural
https://sosrural.es/