At his inauguration, he invited exporters to be “unapologetic agricultural entrepreneurs,” and called for “respect and clear laws” for the sector.
The agricultural businessman Mariano Zapata Martínez assumed this Friday the persistence of Proexport echoing “the voices of the sector that ask us to go out and say enough”, in reference to the uncertainty that exists about the future of the Tajo-Segura Transfer, and before “the impossible conditions” that the Ministry puts in order to be able to carry out the crops. In the massive extraordinary general assembly of the Association of Producers and Exporters of Fruits and Vegetables, Zapata, who is manager of Mercagrisa, located in Campo de Cartagena, encouraged his associates to “be entrepreneurs in agriculture without complexes.”
This took over from Juan Marín Bravo, who received a tribute for the twelve years that Proexport has been in charge, in an act that was attended by President López Miras and deputies and representatives of the PSOE, PP and Vox; as well as the mayors and mayors of Archena, Águilas and Lorca, Patricia Fernández, María José Moreno and Diego José Mateos respectively.
Zapata, who resigned days ago from the board of the Fundación Ingenio, the agricultural ‘lobby’ of Campo de Cartagena, said that the sector is under “a lot of pressure” and that it is “essential” for the regional economy. Without mentioning the Mar Menor, he pointed out that he is in favor of sustainability and good agricultural practices, at the same time that he requested “respect and clear laws” for the sector, which in his opinion should also be protected, and encouraged farmers “To go with your head very high.”
He recalled that Murcia is the second most exporting province and defended the healthy nature of fruits and vegetables. «We are a source of health; we are the largest natural pharmacy in Europe ”, he stressed. It will have Juan López, manager of Pozo Sur as vice president, while Antonio Serrano, financial director of Murciana de Vegetales, will continue as general secretary.
They prepare new protests for the water
In the part of his speech devoted to water, Zapata proposed to the political parties “to reset the meter and start over”, since the deficit of 400 hectometres in the Segura basin cannot be an “insurmountable” objective. He argued that political will is lacking and warned that Levant agriculture “cannot be the bargaining chip.” He spoke to the president of the Water Transfer irrigators, Lucas Jiménez, present in the Nelva hotel room, to inform him that in the next few dates “you can count on Proexport to start the necessary mobilizations.”
Jiménez later commented that in January the protests and demonstrations will resume, hinting that there will be a hot first semester due to the Ministry’s plans to cut the Transfer and increase desalination at a high price.
Juan Marín said goodbye to the position, in a massive act of fruit and vegetable producers
The outgoing president, Juan Marín, who was accompanied by Adela Martínez-Cachá, said goodbye emotionally indicating that he will have more time to dedicate to his family. He noted that his twelve years in office have been “intense and rewarding,” and noted that “difficult times are coming that require strong leadership” at Proexport. Courage and to the bull, he told his successor.
Marín will continue as a director of the exporters and as vice president of Croem. His management was praised by the president of the employer, José María Albarracín. He also told Zapata that they have left him “a very nice brown,” and that he has the full backing of the business federation. The president of the national association Fepex, Jorge Brotons, also warned that “bad times” are coming, and invited the partners to “act together” before the institutions.
You look: “We have very important challenges that we will face together”
The president of the Community, Fernando López Miras, affirmed that “we have very important challenges ahead that we will face together. For example, the limitations imposed on international trade, the need for European recovery funds to be used to contribute to the strength of the sector, continue fighting against the death sentence of the Tajo-Segura decided by the central government, or the tolls in highways, more tax increases and in the price of electricity and fuels.
“I am aware of the enthusiasm and drive with which the new president of Proexport takes office,” said López Miras, who stressed that “Mariano Zapata lives, loves and feels agriculture.” He also pointed out that “from the beginning, the regional government offers its absolute collaboration to continue moving forward together.”
Likewise, the head of the regional Executive transferred his recognition to Marín “for leading brilliantly over the years the growth of this important association, which is equivalent to being an essential protagonist of the development that our agriculture and the Region of Murcia have achieved. In addition, all this has been achieved at a time of many difficulties for the sector.
.