The Minister of Agriculture warns that it is not legal to impose a cap on the cost of the purchase by law
Faced with rising inflation, the second vice-president of the Government, Yolanda Díaz has assured that she will seek an agreement between consumer associations and food distributors to set the price of basic foods. “Food is being a huge problem for our country today,” said the also Minister of Labor before explaining that her intention is to achieve a pact around the price of 20 or 30 meals make up a basic, varied and healthy shopping list.
Despite not being part of his powers, Díaz explained, first, in an interview with eldiario.es and, later, in statements to the media, that the price of basic products has become much more expensive since their sale by producers until its final sale to the public. Specifically, he pointed out that farmers sell a kilo of oranges for 15 cents and then citizens pay 1.40 euros, which represents an increase of 800%. “This is being a problem for many of the citizens“, he stated.
The solution that the vice president will seek, together with the Minister of Consumption, Alberto Garzón, is to bring together the consumer associations and the large producers so that they reach an agreement and set the price of a “basic shopping basket”. Without wanting to specify, Díaz has pointed out that the intention is that this basket includes 20 or 30 foods necessary for a balanced and healthy diet.
not by law
Díaz has wanted to quickly ward off the specter of a possible price cap by law. The vice president has pointed out that it would be an agreement between consumers and companies in the sector promoted by the Government, but without legal interference. In this sense, she has said that it would be an “absolutely legal” agreement and “without violating the right of competition”.
Díaz’s words seem to want to leave the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luís Planas, calm, who last weekend reacted to a price-setting proposal by the purples warning that “From a legal point of view, it is not possible, with the Constitution and the norms of the EU in the hand“. “And, on the other hand, it is not desirable either. […] It would not help the producers, nor the consumers, nor any link in the chain,” he reaffirmed.