The institution is demanding that Spain’s General State Budget annually include sufficient funding for the primary sector to entirely cover the national contribution to the Specific Options Programme for Outermost Regions (POSEI), which has thus far been the responsibility of the Canary Islands Government.
Cabildo of Lanzarote Takes Action
On Wednesday, the Plenary of the Cabildo of Lanzarote approved an important agreement during an extraordinary session. This decision aims to strengthen the commitment of the institution, led by Oswaldo Betancort, to ensure the effective implementation of the POSEI programme. The measure firmly urges both the Spanish Government and the European Commission to fulfil their legal and budgetary responsibilities towards the primary sector in the Canary Islands, which is essential for the economic and territorial sustainability of the archipelago.
Debated and supported by the majority of the assembly, the agreement demands that the State Government adheres to Article 24.2 of Law 19/1994, which regulates the Economic and Fiscal Regime of the Canary Islands (REF). Specifically, it calls for the General State Budget to include a sufficient financial allocation each year to fully cover the national contribution to POSEI, as established by current legislation.
Currently, this financial burden is partially shouldered by the Canary Islands Government—approximately €5.19 million in 2022 and €8.57 million in 2023—which diminishes the resources available for the agricultural and livestock sectors of Lanzarote and La Graciosa.
“From Lanzarote, we advocate for a state and European policy that recognises our unique characteristics and finances them adequately. We cannot allow Canary Islands institutions to bear a responsibility that also belongs to the State and Europe,” stated Councillor Samuel Martín, who presided over the plenary during the agreement’s approval.
Request for Financial Update of POSEI
Additionally, the Cabildo is requesting that the European Commission update the financial framework of POSEI for the period following 2027. The rationale behind this request highlights that production costs in the Canary Islands have increased by 50% since 2007, while European funding has remained stagnant.
This lack of update jeopardises the competitiveness of local producers and risks undermining the programme’s objectives.
The agreement also addresses the fishing sector’s situation, proposing that the POSEICAN-Fishing programme, currently linked to the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (FEMPA), be aligned with the support model of the agricultural POSEI, structured around two pillars: direct aid and sustainable development. This unification would ensure consistency with the European regulatory framework and reinforce the economic sustainability of the fishing sector in the Canary Islands and other outermost regions.
