CDU defends the “urgent” creation of the Madeira Agricultural Reserve

The CDU was in contact with farmers on the North Coast of Madeira Island today to defend the implementation of measures to defend regional production and in particular the primary sector.

In the Porto Moniz council, the deputy, Ricardo Lume, said that «every day that passes there is less agricultural area in the Autonomous Region of Madeira due to the fact that the Regional Government’s policy keeps people away from agriculture and because there is no territorial planning policy that reserve quality soil for agriculture.

The CDU deputy denounced that «the Autonomous Region of Madeira is the only one in the country that does not have an agricultural reserve, 30 years after its implementation at national level.

What happens is that, given the fact that the Regional Agricultural Reserve does not exist, soils with good production capacity are being occupied by urbanization and farmers are being increasingly pushed to higher areas, where agricultural activities face worse conditions. development conditions.

Ricardo Lume concluded by arguing that «given that correct territorial planning must recognize and safeguard territorial areas with particular potential for the development of agricultural activities, the CDU defends the urgent creation of the Regional Agricultural Reserve as it constitutes a fundamental element to promote agricultural activity in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, to enhance and preserve the natural landscape of the archipelago. The aim is, therefore, to contribute to the creation of one of the most relevant components for the preservation of natural heritage and biodiversity, aiming to promote an integrated and comprehensive vision of the region’s heritage and natural resources and values.”