Merchants criticize the agrarian law because it allows new establishments on rural land.

PalmThe Balearic Islands Federation of Commerce Entrepreneurs (Afedeco) asserts that the draft agrarian law being promoted by the government could negatively affect the sector, as it opens the door to new commercial establishments under the guise of promoting direct sales. According to the president of Afedeco, Joana Manresa, the draft introduces concepts that "may go beyond the agricultural sphere and directly affect the regulation of retail trade," which could create legal uncertainty and a disadvantage for legally established establishments.

The business owners are asking the Ministry of Agriculture for regulatory "coherence" and, therefore, for respect for current urban planning regulations "to avoid contradictions" and potentially foster unfair competition under the guise of promoting direct sales. They assert that they are not against farms being able to sell their products, but say the wording of the law goes much further and could be detrimental to them with new establishments.

The organization warns in its written submission that the current wording of the draft bill could allow the creation of sales outlets or commercial spaces on rural land under the guise of "direct agricultural sales." Despite supporting the marketing of farms' own produce, the federation insists that this avenue should not be used to establish new businesses outside the legal framework of Balearic commerce.

Another highlight of the submissions is the need to define the role of nurseries and garden centers, since an overly broad definition could open the door to retail establishments on rural land, in contradiction with the Commerce Law. Furthermore, Afedeco requests that the concept of own production be clarified to prevent imported products from receiving this designation and providing commercial options that have nothing to do with local produce.

Regarding distribution and logistics, the employers' association points out that these activities are subject to commercial and competition regulations and, therefore, should not be carried out by farms or agricultural cooperatives without the relevant regulations.

Despite positively evaluating the support for the primary sector and the sale of local products, Afedeco insists that the new agrarian law should not conflict with traditional commerce. "The defense of farmers should not come at the expense of weakening local commerce or altering the balance between sectors that are part of the same economic chain," concludes Afedeco spokesperson Joana Manresa.