"The Arrogance of Pedro Sánchez Threatens Alicante's Agricultural Heartland"

The province of Alicante is Europe's garden. From Vega Baja to Marina Alta, Alicante produces the fruits and vegetables consumed across the continent, from lettuces to cherries, wine, and olive oil. However, the primary sector is under scrutiny. They face excessive bureaucracy, lack of profitability, and, above all, water scarcity. The Minister of Agriculture, Miguel Barrachina, knows what he's talking about. He was a farmer in his native Castellón before becoming a minister. His fight is for the land. And, as a man of the field, he does not sugarcoat the current situation of the primary sector.

The ruling is a direct consequence of Pedro Sánchez's government's policy against Alicante, Murcia, and Almería. It is an unjustified cut in a vital transfer for the farmers of the Valencian Community, especially those in Alicante. Last year, the Segura Hydrographic Confederation asked not to plant winter vegetables due to drought. This year, with the Tagus reservoirs full, the message is the same. This is not a matter of drought or flood: it is ideology. There is enough water in Spain; the problem is one of solidarity and political decision.

Cutting the transfer means cutting down 10 million trees and destroying 15,000 jobs. We send Portugal more than double the agreed amount (6,000 hm³ compared to the 2,700 agreed), while here we could save our crops with just 100 hm³ more. Neither Portugal appreciates it nor do the farmers of Castilla-La Mancha benefit. It is an ideological punishment.

The ruling allows for various interpretations. Conferences have been organized just to try to decipher it. However, what is clear is that a cut to the Tagus-Segura will come, I believe soon. There have already been 25 previous cuts, always applied when there was political room for it. The key is that judges issue rulings on political norms that should never have been approved. The same Council of Ministers that approved this cut could reverse it. But the root of the problem is ideological, not technical.

We don't know. But it is cruel that, having water in the reservoirs, farmers are dependent on rain. With climate change, it rains a lot in a short time, but if the accumulated water cannot be used, the crops are at risk. It is a very worrying situation.

Scarce. We have only had contact for actions related to the DANA, as we have had to act with our own funds in channels that are a state responsibility. As for the transfer, none. All decisions have been unilateral by the Government. They have not provided technical criteria or justifications. It is an ideological decision, not a scientific one. We have repeatedly requested a meeting with the Ministry along with other communities, but we have been ignored.

It was an Acuamed project that has been an embarrassment. It loses 80% of the water due to leaks. It should not have been certified or paid for. We need the Ministry to act urgently. We are developing phases one and two of the distribution project, with an investment close to 30 million euros to maintain cultivation on 14,000 hectares and ensure the future of the transfer. We are working with irrigators to plan new phases of conduits.

Yes, and more so every day. Now the diplomatic problem with the United States is added. 41% of our exports to the country are agri-food. Pedro Sánchez's attitude at NATO has put that market at risk. The US has already announced possible tariffs twice as high. This will directly affect our farmers, as 40% of the Valencian Community's exports to the United States are fruit and vegetable products. We are talking about 180 million euros in exports and hundreds of jobs. The arrogance of the Prime Minister has a real cost and puts Alicante's agricultural heartland at risk.

The European Commission is reviewing its stance. For example, on the issue of phytosanitary products, European Commissioner Christophe Hansen said that our farmers' "plant medicine cabinet" is empty. But the Spanish Government has boasted of banning more than half of the active ingredients. Additionally, from January, a monthly digital record of treatments is to be imposed, something unmanageable for many older farmers.

There are also problems in fishing. The new European Fisheries Commissioner has announced reviews, but the Spanish Government continues to apply restrictive regulations. Alicante fishermen have reported that there is more fish, not less. Reducing fishing days from 133 to 27 is absurd and harmful to the sector.

Agricultural land must prevail. We cannot cut down crops that capture CO2 to install solar panels. The municipalities themselves, such as Torrevieja or San Miguel de Salinas, are against it. Common sense alone should stop such projects.

Desalination can be a complement, but not a substitute for fresh water. Replacing it turns the irrigator into a servant of the State, dependent on subsidies because desalinated water costs five times more, and the farmer is at the mercy of being subsidized. We are against sacrificing agricultural productivity for ideological interests.

There is hope. Just as Europe is reviewing its prohibitionism, in Spain we can also reverse ideological decisions. The problem is called Pedro Sánchez. Whoever cannot control, wants to destroy. We see it with the UCO, with judges, with farmers and fishermen.