Planas charges against the controversy in Doñana: "Some want to cause discord to provoke a political debate"

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, has defended the “reputation of high quality” of Spanish agricultural products abroad, and in particular of quality red berries, and they are differentiated throughout the world, and considers that, if Doñana is “in the controversy”, it is due to the interest of creating a political debate against the Government that is “absolutely undeserved”.

“Doñana is in the controversy because some want to put in trouble and take advantage of these issues to try to provoke a political debate against you that is absolutely undeserved,” Planas said during the second work session, a discussion with the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, held at the socialist headquarters on Calle de Ferraz, in Madrid.

The minister has defended that Doñana is “a great asset” and has proposed using it as a “reference for the Huelva red fruit sector”, where the “most people” with whom he has spoken are “totally” in agreement with that Planas approach because “they are respectful people, who work well and correctly”, but to whom some have sought initiatives “not only impossible but really petty”, such as the proposal of the Andalusian Parliament.

Thus, he has insisted that the proposal of the Andalusian Chamber that seeks to authorize irrigation in nearly 800 hectares in the surroundings of the Doñana National Park generates “a problem that deep down has been created for them”. However, it has celebrated that, “fortunately”, the Government of Spain has managed to “solve” the issue from the point of view of reputation.

With regard to the reputation of Spanish products, he also mentioned “what has happened in Castilla y León in recent weeks” with the controversy over the regulation of more flexible controls on the mobility of cattle at risk of bovine tuberculosis in the framework of the autonomous government of PP and Vox.

“Imagine, the meat sector is one of the most important export sectors in Spain!” Planas highlighted Sánchez, to whom he added that only pork, Spain is the third largest producer in the world, behind China and the United States. United because it is a country of “quality” and “safe” and that produces with “the best guarantees” of quality for citizens.

For this reason, he has underlined the importance of the reputation of a job well done, as well as competitiveness and sustainability.