Spain: new plan for the Environmental-Friendly Agriculture

The Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fishing and Food has recently informed the Council of Ministers about the aims and characteristics of the Comprehensive Plan for the Promotion of Environmental-Friendly Agriculture, which will be publicly presented this month. This Plan started its way on May 2004, when the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing and Food opened a consultation process with all the authorities involved and the representative associations and organisations in order to lay the basis for an improved development of environmental-friendly agriculture. In Spain, more than 800.000 hectares are devoted to environmental-friendly agriculture and stockbreeding, which place the country as the third one in Europe and the ninth all over the world. 70% of the Spanish production is exported. This Plan has three strategic objectives: to promote the development of environmental-friendly agriculture; to increase its knowledge among consumers and to favour the commercial distribution of its products; and to improve institutional co-operation and the management of resources devoted to the sector. It will be in operation between 2007 and 2010. Spanish citizens select environmental-friendly products because of their healthy nature, their taste and their quality. Those who do not buy these products say they lack enough information and that these products are far too expensive. More information on: www.mapa.es