1300 take part in agricultural machinery exhibition in Spain
Arecord-breaking agricultural show in Zaragoza, Spain, came to an end on 16th February after a highly successful five days. The 35th edition of the International Show of Agricultural Machinery has been a point of encounter for more than 1,300 firms that have exhibited their products in an exhibition area of 140,000 square metres.
The provisional figures reveal that around 200,000 professionals visited the show facilities during the five-day event. The activities staged on the last day of the show included a visit by the Minister of Employment and Social Affairs, Jes?s Caldera, to the act organised by the UPA (Union of Small Farmers), to celebrate “Rural Pride” Day in the Congress Auditorium of Zaragoza Exhibition Centre.
The Minister of Employment and Social Affairs, Jesús Caldera, stated that agriculture and farming are “an exceptional source of wealth in Spain” and expressed his support for the agents of the primary sector in Spain. Referring to agricultural workers, the Minister explained that most of them are self-employed, and indicated that “important improvements have been put in place for them”.
The celebration of the 35th edition of the international show has revealed the great weight that the agricultural world has in world economy.
Since 12th February, when FIMA 2008 opened its doors, thousands of people have visited the 10 exhibition halls of Zaragoza Exhibition Centre that house the sector’s most innovative technological products and machinery.
Amongst the activities that have taken place within the framework of the show, of particular importance was the National Meeting of Cereal Operators that brought together sector professionals from Spain, France, Portugal and Italy.
In their interventions the experts explained that the current situation of cereal growers is a cause of concern due to high prices.
Another interesting event was devoted to historic machinery in which the FAMAE (Federation of Friends of Associations of Historic Agricultural Machinery) addressed the matter of the different regulations governing old machinery.
Representatives of the federation expressed their optimism over the future of these machines.
FIMA was also the chosen scenario for the presentation of the 2008 Plan Renove (Renewal Plan) for Arag?n that has three basic principles: greater efficiency, less contamination and greater safety for the fleet of machinery, as was pointed out by the Councillor of Agriculture of the Government of Aragón, Gonzalo Arguilé. The plan has been assigned a budget of 7.2 million euros.
The visit of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing and Food, Josep Puxeu, to the show facilities, was welcomed both by the professionals and visitors.
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