Christophe Hansen, European Commissioner for Agriculture, in Madrid and Valencia

On 20 and 21 February, Christophe Hansen, European Commission Commissioner for Agriculture and Food , visited Madrid and Valencia.

Minister Luis Planas received Commissioner Hansen on Thursday 20 February at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. There, Commissioner Hansen made a presentation on the vision for agriculture and food, adopted the previous day by the European Commission. He then participated in a press conference with Minister Planas. Commissioner Hansen highlighted:

“Spain is key to ensuring Europe’s strategic food autonomy: almost one in four fruits and vegetables in the EU comes from Spain. It is therefore essential to listen to the demands and challenges faced by Spanish farmers, livestock breeders and the agri-food industry. That is why I wanted to present the vision for agriculture and food in Madrid as a priority. This vision seeks to redefine the relationship between the European Commission and the agri-food sector. We have listened to European and Spanish farmers and we are already working on a simplification package for farmers, a generational renewal strategy for the sector and a specific line of work for the livestock sector, among other initiatives.” 

On Friday 21 February, the Commissioner travelled to Valencia, where during a visit to the affected areas he was able to see first-hand the damage caused by the DANA  and the difficulties faced by farmers in the region. The Commissioner said: 

“It was very important for me that one of my first trips as Commissioner was to the Valencian Community, to understand the scale of the farmers’ drama and see how we can best help. I am pleased to announce that yesterday the Member States have given a favourable opinion to the Commission’s proposal to mobilise €68 million from the agricultural reserve to support Spain following the ravages caused by the DANA and the drought. This is the second largest amount ever allocated to a Member State, after the €81 million that was also allocated to Spain in 2023.”

During his visit, Commissioner Hansen met with relevant authorities at national and regional level (including Minister Luis Planas, the President of the Valencian Community, Carlos Mazón, and the regional agricultural councillors) and had the opportunity to meet and listen to the main stakeholders in the agricultural and livestock sector : agricultural unions, producer organisations, cooperatives, environmental NGOs, etc. The Commissioner thanked all participants for their interest: 

“One of my objectives as Agriculture Commissioner is to go on the ground, and to be able to speak directly with all the actors in the agricultural and livestock sector. I am aware that farmers in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region face unique challenges, different from those of their counterparts in other parts of Europe; I want to listen to and understand their specific problems. I know first-hand the pressures that farmers are under and my aim is to ensure that the Commission can provide them with effective support in the face of the challenges they face.”

More information European Commission.