Juan Marín, President of the European Association of Fruits and Vegetables (FruitVegetablesEUROPE) and producer in southern Spain, reflects on the current situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In these moments of uncertainty and global health crisis, I want to launch a message of support to all European producers of Fruit and Vegetables and to the agri-food sector in general. For the past few weeks we have been experiencing difficult times due to Covid-19, a pandemic that is causing pain worldwide. I take this opportunity to offer condolences to all those families who have been affected by this virus, and to encourage all those who have family or friends who are struggling or recovering.

This situation makes us see that, now more than ever, It is time to highlight the crucial role that the European agri-food sector as a whole is playing during this health crisis. This unprecedented scenario is changing our way of life, our way of working, but it has also created a feeling of unity and common strength never seen before.

From FruitVegetablesEUROPE we praise the great work that all European health services are doing. Likewise, we want to send our sincere thanks and support to all those who are part of the food chain and continue to assure the population of food supplies. People who also risk their lives every day to bring healthy food to the pantries of all European consumers.

The European fruit and vegetable producer sector guarantees its commitment and responsibility to continue supplying food with the maximum guarantees in matters of safety and quality. Unlike other sectors, European agriculture is essential, a shortage of products would cause serious consequences at all levels.

This world crisis confronts us with situations that we thought impossible, highlighting the need to maintain a social model of agriculture based on the social character, efficiency and sustainability of agricultural activity, urging the European Union to defend this agriculture with a Strong Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and a budget to match.

From FruitVegetablesEUROPE we appeal to common sense and to compliance with the restrictions set by the national authorities and the recommendations of the health organizations of each Member State, hoping that this situation will improve and that normality will soon be established. From FRUITVEGETABLESEUROPE we will continue working to enhance European agriculture with our promotion program: "CuTE: Cultivating the Taste of Europe"

Much encouragement to all.