Luis Planas: "The strength of the ties between Spain and Portugal benefits our agricultural and fisheries sectors"

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, pointed out the need to continue strengthening the solidity of the neighbourhood link between Portugal and Spain, because "the strength of the ties between Spain and Portugal benefits our agricultural and fisheries sectors".

Planas has advocated strengthening the current institutional harmony and transferring it to all other economic, social and cultural relations between the two countries. "In the agri-food sector," added the minister, "Spain and Portugal have a lot in common, as it is an important engine for our economies and a good meeting point from which to defend our shared interests".

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food took part in the 32nd Spanish-Portuguese summit, which was held today in Trujillo, Cáceres. These meetings, which have been held since 1983, allow the heads of Government of both countries, Pedro Sánchez and Antonio Costa, and their respective delegations to address issues of mutual interest and benefit. The bilateral Agriculture and Fisheries meeting with Minister Planas was also attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Maria do Céu Antunes, and the Minister of the Sea, Ricardo Serrão.

In his speech at the plenary meeting, Luis Planas congratulated the Portuguese minister for her work and efforts to reach an agreement on the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) during the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union. The minister pointed out that the aim is to ensure that secondary legislation remains faithful to the agreement reached last June, as well as keeping the CAP simple and simplifying bureaucratic procedures for farmers and stockbreeders.

Portugal and Spain have exchanged their approaches to the Strategic Plan being drawn up by each country, especially with regard to eco-schemes, as they share common territory and ecosystems, such as the dehesa.

Fishing

In the area of fisheries, the Spanish-Portuguese summit was an opportunity to address questions about the future Common Fisheries Policy, a reform in which both countries advocate an approach oriented towards sustainability from an economic and social point of view.

Now that the fruits of efforts on the environmental sustainability of the seas and oceans are becoming visible, it is necessary to improve the profitability and encourage the modernisation of the fleet in order to create conditions conducive to generational renewal.

In terms of fishing opportunities for 2022, Spain will continue to count on Portugal to defend the common priorities of the peninsula in the European Council. The close cooperation in recent years in the management of the Iberian sardine has yielded very satisfactory results and has become an example to be followed in other fisheries.

Minister Planas also congratulated the Portuguese government for its leadership in international ocean governance. In this regard, he expressed Spain's willingness to participate actively and at all levels in the United Nations Conference to be held in Lisbon next June on the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14. The two countries work in partnership to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Animal and plant health

Minister Planas also highlighted the close collaboration in the actions carried out in the field of animal and plant health, under the "one health" approach. In particular, the situation of three diseases present on both sides of the border was addressed: bluetongue, Xylella fastidiosa and Trioza erythreae.

In the case of bluetongue, which affects sheep and cattle, both countries are working on a common strategy around vaccination, which is the best available tool. On Xylella fastidiosa, a potentially harmful bacterium for woody crops, the possibility of setting up a working structure with regular technical meetings is considered positive. As for the insect Trioza erythreae, Spain is sharing the result of its own research with Portugal on another insect (Tamarixia dryi) to combat it.

Planas also referred to the efforts of both countries to reduce the use of antibiotics and to fight against antimicrobial resistance. In fact, Spain has shown its willingness to neighbouring Portugal to share its experience and the computer tool it has developed for this type of control.

Both countries have agreed to establish a common agenda in the field of health. They will promote meetings and seminars where common strategies against major pests and diseases will be presented under a "One Health" approach.

All these aspects will be dealt with more specifically at the bilateral Spanish-Portuguese meeting to be held in Mérida on 28 and 29 November by the heads of the animal and plant health services of the two countries.

Non official translation