Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has named Isabel García Tejerina as his new agriculture minister, to replace Miguel Arias Cañete, who will be running as the Popular candidate in the upcoming European elections. García Tejerina, 45 is stepping up from her role as general secretary of the ministry.
Fepex has welcomed her appointment, saying she shares a broadly similar outlook to the exporter federation on agricultural policy related to the fruit and vegetable industry.
“The minister’s profound knowledge of the social and economic reality within the fresh produce sector today will enable the application of effective policy,” Fepex said in a statement.
Among the challenges García faces is how to manage the ongoing reform of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, including the role played by producer organisations, and how to improve the content of operating programmes and management crisis measures within the sector. The new minister will also have to tackle issues such as innovation, food safety, competitiveness and the opening of new export markets.
“Fepex recognises the minster’s expertise and we are confident that the biggest challenges facing the fruit and vegetable sector within Spain will be resolved during her term in office,” the organisation said.
