Meeting of the Special Commissioner for the Reconstruction of the island of La Palma, Héctor Izquierdo Triana, with the Association of Entities Packaging, Exporting and Marketing of Fruits of La Palma (ASEPALMA) and other representatives of the agricultural sector.

Calling on the Government of the Canary Islands to transfer the 100 million euros per year, appropriated in the State’s budgetary laws, as soon as possible, aid to the sector that is approved until the end of this June, the cessation of the activity of the self-employed and the exemption of Social Security quotas for farmers who still do not have access to their farm buried by the lava or the supplies necessary to carry out the harvest in their plantations.

Agriculture is one of the fundamental pillars of the island economy. Izquierdo admits that, in terms of material damage, the volcanic catastrophe destroyed crops in production, mostly banana trees, but only a small portion has been recovered.

The State’s work to implement aid to the sector is being a priority in the negotiations that are being carried out to mobilize the required funds.

On these very important funds, the Commissioner explained to them the different solutions that are being proposed to avoid the delay in relation to financing for reconstruction and to alleviate its possible adverse effects.