The MAPA begins the public consultation of the norm to regulate the communication of stocks of cereals, rice and oilseeds
MADRID, 2 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) -
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, has advocated transferring "maximum transparency" in the markets in a context marked by the war in Ukraine and by the increase in the prices of raw materials, cereals, oilseeds or fertilizers as well as energy costs.
In this scenario, Planas has stressed that agri-food production is "vital and essential", which is why all the countries of the world try to ensure food autonomy and the supply of the population.
"We are trying to transfer the maximum transparency to the situation of the markets", the head of Agriculture has affirmed in declarations to Europa Press.
Regarding the functioning of the raw material markets, Planas has recognized that there has been a "relaxation" and, in the case of feed, prices have returned to the moment before February 24, the date of the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but "obviously in a context of volatility".
"In this context, we don't have a supply problem, but we do have a price problem, which is higher," he pointed out.
Regarding fertilizers, the sector's concern is focused, according to the Minister of Agriculture, on the availability and price on the market, which has doubled or tripled in the last year, a period in which cereals and oilseeds have also increased between 20% and 30%.
"Fertilizers are essential for the functioning of the primary sector, there is much talk of the lack of 'chips', for example for industrial activity, but without fertilizers agricultural production also decreases significantly," he pointed out.
Planas has pointed out that the war in Ukraine, apart from the geopolitical consequences, is also a conflict from the food point of view due to the consequences it has on third countries.
"Practically I would say that the European Union is, in this sense, fortunately, the least affected, but there are many countries in the world that are suffering in relation to this situation," said Planas, who has opted for transferring "maximum transparency" to the markets.
To this end, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) has initiated the public consultation procedure for the draft resolution establishing the technical criteria for consideration of the relevant operator and the electronic means for compliance with the obligation to communication of stocks of cereals, rice, oilseeds and certified seeds of these products.
This initiative complies with the provisions of the Commission regulation of May 19, 2022, which introduces new reporting obligations for stocks of cereals, oilseeds and rice held by producers, wholesalers and relevant economic agents.
The level of stocks of certified seeds of the mentioned crops must also be notified.
These new communication obligations were incorporated into national legislation through Royal Decree 428/2022, of June 7.
With them, the aim is to improve the transparency of the market to prevent and mitigate possible disturbances, with the aim of guaranteeing food security and being able to detect the needs of the market well in advance and thus be able to guide supply strategies.
Planas has highlighted the importance of this rule, because "one of the elements of speculation is precisely the futures markets, above all, the existence of stocks, the availability or not of merchandise". "That first element of transparency is absolutely fundamental, therefore, markets need to function smoothly," he stressed.
In order to comply with the new obligations, the MAPA has created the Stock Information System for Food Guarantees (SIEGA) so that the relevant operators send the information to the ministry, which will subsequently transfer it to the European Commission, in an aggregated and anonymous.
In order to reduce administrative burdens, when there is an association representing your market for a type of product, it may be in charge of collecting and transferring the information from the associates who authorize it.
In this case, that association will be considered a relevant operator for the purposes of the new obligation.
The term for sending observations begins today and ends on September 15, 2022, both inclusive.