ISSUE NO. 1668
22 - 28 June 2017
COSTA DE ALMERÍA
YOUR PAPER, YOUR VOICE, YOUR OPINION
WWW.EUROWEEKLYNEWS.COM
Fruit of the Union Urgent appeal over local exports
ALMERIA PRODUCE: Considered one of Spain’s most strategically important assets. By Matthew Elliott Fruits and vegetables produced in Almeria must be considered one of Spain’s most strategically important assets during Brexit negotiations according to ASAJA. The c o u n t r y ’s b i g g es t agricultural lobby is concerned about increasingly tough t a l k f r o m t h e E U about playing hardball with Brexit Britain. ASAJA represents some 200,000 farm owners and
workers. Its Almeria division believes it is essential that the UK’s market of 65 million consumers be able to easily purchase Almeria produce without new physical, financial or bureaucratic barriers. Losing prioritised access to the British market would b e a d is a s te r fo r A lme ria and for thousands of families dependent on exports according to ASAJA chiefs. Britain imports roughly three million tons of fresh
produc e from Spa in e a c h year, the vast majority directly from Almeria. The group has urged the Spanish foreign affairs minister to prevent export tariffs e me rging from the eventual Brexit settlement. Tariffs would expose Almeria to intense competition from A fric a n a nd South American exporters which c ould riva l Spa in on c os t and delivery times. B rita in a ls o imports a particular variety of fruit
and veg that doesn’t always sell well elsewhere in Europe. The UK pays well, on time and has an appetite for orga nic produc e w hic h fetches a higher price for growers. With Russia blockading European fruit and veg, losing the U K too w ould s e ve re ly de pre s s A lme ria ’s most vital industry. ASAJA bosses also want both sides to tone down the combative rhetoric which has plagued Brexit talks so far.
Brexit negotiations formally opened on Monday. A two-year deadline has been established with plenty of ups and downs guaranteed along the way.
Hunt for missing Brit POLICE are urgently searching for a missing British pensioner last seen in Huercal-Overa. Barry Sidney Lane has been missing since last weekend. The 77-year-old was last seen on the hiking area between Abejuela and Huercal-Overa on Sunday afternoon. He was wearing a blue t-shirt, shorts and a light grey/blue cap. He may be carrying a red backpack and has an eagle tattoo on his chest. Lane is believed to need medication. The 112 emergency services have put out an appeal on Twitter and have launched a full scale search. Anyone with any possible information should contact the emergency services on 112.