These initiatives defend agriculture, livestock and artisanal fishing in the face of the challenges faced by the primary sector on the islands.
The Municipal Plenary hosted the reading of a Mayor's Demonstration to convey its support and solidarity with the citizens of Ceuta
The Ordinary Plenary Session of the City Council of San Sebastián de La Gomera, held this Thursday, September 3, unanimously approved three initiatives aimed at defending agriculture, livestock and artisanal fishing on the islands, through three motions submitted by the Canarian Federation of Municipalities, FECAM, related to the defense and support of the primary sector of the Canary Islands.
The mayor of San Sebastián de La Gomera, Angélica Padilla, pointed out that the motions sent by FECAM have their origin in initiatives promoted by the municipalities of Santa María de Guía, Gáldar and Puerto del Rosario. Padilla, who also serves as a member of the FECAM Rural Commission, stressed that "with the unanimous approval of these three motions, the City Council reaffirms its commitment to the primary sector and to the defense of the particularities of the Archipelago, supporting measures that contribute to guaranteeing the viability and future of agriculture, livestock and artisanal fishing."
The initiatives address, on the one hand, the need to guarantee fair prices and decent conditions for agricultural and livestock products, as well as the defense of small and medium-sized farms in the face of the challenges posed by the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur.
In this sense, the agreement contemplates the request for specific guarantees to prevent the entry of products from third countries from generating unfair competition for Canarian products. Among the measures proposed is the incorporation of safeguard clauses, the establishment of effective controls that guarantee the same standards required of local production and the implementation of sufficient economic compensation for farmers and ranchers.
In this plenary session, the City Council also showed its unanimous support for the artisanal fishing sector regarding the application of the new European fishing control regulations. The approved motion highlights the concern about certain obligations that may be disproportionate to the reality of artisanal fishing in the Canary Islands, such as advance notification of port entry or the electronic record of catches.
In another order of things, the Plenary also approved different collaboration agreements with the Cabildo of La Gomera for the development of activities in the Patron Saint Festivals and Carnival Festivals of 2026, as well as the development of actions aimed at promoting and revitalizing crafts.
In this plenary session, Angélica Padilla took the floor to hold a demonstration by the Mayor's Office as a show of support and solidarity with the citizens of Ceuta, highlighting that: "The Autonomous City of Ceuta has always been an example of respect, coexistence and diversity in our country. A city in which Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Jewish citizens coexist, among other religious denominations, sharing the same space from respect and coexistence."
Padilla added that "Ceuta continues to live through complicated times, of uncertainty and tension. For this reason, as mayor of San Sebastián de La Gomera, I wish to convey our institutional support to the people of Ceuta and our recognition to those who, from public services, security forces, social entities and volunteers, work to meet the needs of the population and preserve coexistence."
The mayor stressed that "at this time, it is especially important to maintain a serene and supportive attitude, with absolute respect for human rights and trying to care for the most vulnerable people with dignity, while working to recover tranquility and security in the streets of Ceuta. Gomera society knows well the value of solidarity between territories, especially in the face of the migratory drama. For this reason, from San Sebastián de La Gomera we want to convey to Ceuta and all its citizens our closeness, affection and solidarity.”
