Barrachina reproaches Bustinduy for his "disorientation" and reminds him that European regulations do not require indicating the origin of each rice on the labeling.
The Minister of Agriculture, Water, Livestock and Fisheries, Miguel Barrachina, has lashed out at the Minister of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda, Pablo Bustinduy, for his "level of disorientation," reminding him that "he should know that there is no European regulation that requires knowing the origin of rice." "Therefore, it is he who must defend us before the European Union so that it appears. We do want the origin to appear on the labeling, but there is no European rule that obliges him to do so," he indicated.
Barrachina made these statements to the media after attending the second edition of the Agrovalor Awards at the Palau de la Generalitat. His words come after Minister Bustinduy, from Sueca (Valencia), asked the Consell to act against possible deception of consumers regarding the origin of Valencian rice in marketed packaging, with the aim of sanctioning eventual fraudulent practices in the labeling of local products.
"Our defender before the European Union, sadly, is this minister from Sumar who, unfortunately, instead of asking whoever has the competence to demand such labeling, demands it from us, who are victims both of the lack of precision in labeling by the European Commission and victims of the Government of Pedro Sánchez," the minister retorted.
The regional official also denounced the "enormous damage" that, in his opinion, the central government is causing to the rice sector, "prohibiting indispensable treatments," and reproached the government ministers who, "instead of helping" as the Consell does with measures for the incorporation of young people or the modernization of the sector, focus on "hindering its growth."
In relation to labeling, Barrachina specified that in rice packages "there is a designation of origin" in which "logically, the origin appears," and that "the place of elaboration" must also be included. However, he pointed out that "there is no obligation" to detail "the origin of each of the rices that make up that rice which is finally served."
"Each product has its own regulation," remarked the Minister of Agriculture, emphasizing that the Valencian government has conveyed to the European Commission "the need for the origin of these products to appear." "It does not appear because European regulation does not require it and, therefore, whoever does not represent themselves before the European Commission, this same minister, it is to them that he must make his claim," he concluded.
© Copyright 2025 The SSResource Media.
All rights reserved.