The San Miguel International Livestock and 569 Traditional Fair was inaugurated this Thursday, September 29, with the presence of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas; and the president of the Government of Extremadura, Guillermo Fernández Vara. At all times, the work carried out by the agricultural sector has been highlighted, its importance for the Extremaduran and Spanish economy, and the difficult moment it is going through due to the pandemic, the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union and the war. in Ukraine.
The extraordinary aid that has been launched from Europe and the Central Government to face the challenges and threats it faces has also been highlighted.
Luis Planas referred to the Zafra International Livestock Fair as “an example of the strength of the Spanish livestock sector as part of the agri-food sector.
The minister listed some of the aid and extraordinary measures put in place for the sector to overcome the difficulties caused by increased costs, inflation and drought and other climatic effects.
One of them would be the food chain law “in a difficult moment, of crisis like the one we find ourselves in in relation to the increase in prices, costs and the evolution of the market, we have managed to ensure that all the adjustment factors do not fall on farmers and ranchers.
He also referred to the reinforcement of agricultural insurance or the importance of livestock management to consolidate the professionalization and internationalization of the different sectors.
And he has highlighted the role of Extremadura in the configuration of the new CAP, “it has carried out fundamental and constructive work, with a national vocation in the configuration of an excellent CAP and an excellent strategic plan for Spain, and the defense of livestock farmers and farmers.
For his part, the president of the Extremadura Regional Government has celebrated that progress has been made, “with a lot of work and despite the historical moment in which we find ourselves full of difficulties” in the new Community Agrarian Policy (PAC), “one of the answers that we can give from Europe, Spain and Extremadura,” said the Extremaduran president.
He has highlighted the achievement of maintaining the CAP’s resources and budget and moving towards a “fairer, more redistributive and more adapted to the world in which we live” policy in a very difficult scenario.
Despite everything, according to Fernández Vara, 75-80% of Extremaduran ranchers and farmers are going to receive more than what they were receiving”, as well as highlighting the large amount of aid that has been launched to continue helping the countryside. and those who live off it.
Regarding the strategic plan, Fernández Vara recalled that Extremadura is the first community that has launched training plans.
The mayor of Zafra, José Carlos Contreras, was in charge of giving the welcome, showing “his excitement” at being able to celebrate this livestock fair again, “the best in Spain and one of the best in Europe” in full after three years, a event that he said “has grown in the face of difficulties such as the pandemic, the war in Ukraine caused by Russia or uncertainty. The fair is complete, full of livestock and exhibitors. There are 25 hectares that the fairgrounds have and that host in this edition about 2,000 heads of cattle of different breeds and about 600 exhibitors, and thousands of people who will come to visit it.
He made reference to the 30 years of the internalization of this fair, which will be completed in 2022, “it changed everything, because from that moment Zafra, its fair and Extremadura are better known.”
The objective set by the mayor is now to continue working to improve the infrastructure, “as has been done until now by the administrations,” he said, who he asked to continue helping Zafra to create two more pavilions, finish the pavilion Felipe VI, reform the Central Pavilion and the Municipal Booth. He also urged the Extremadura Board to carry out an economic plan for the FIG, “know what it means for Extremadura” and a SWOT analysis.
And he referred to the fact that this is one of the safest fairs in history with more than 1,000 personnel.
After the opening ceremony, the numerous authorities toured the fairgrounds and visited several exhibition pavilions and warehouses for sheep, pigs, cattle, goats and horses, where they had the opportunity to chat with the farmers and learn about the concerns of the sector first-hand.