A leading Murcian fresh produce association has called on Spain’s government to “urgently seek solutions” to ease the serious affects of the global economic crisis on the region’s citrus industry.

Alfonso Gálvez Caravaca, general secretary of Asaja Murcia, claimed the crisis could put Murcia behind the neighbouring regions of Valencia and Andalucia in terms of production if measures are not taken to aid the sector.

Mr Gálvez said the Murcia was not only facing a “disastrous” citrus harvest this season, but that farmers are currently having to sell oranges and mandarins below the cost of production.

If this situation were to continue, he argued that it would be “very difficult for the sector to survive in the region of Murcia”.

Among the measures being called for by the association to aid the citrus sector are stricter quality controls on citrus imports from outside the EU and a nationwide marketing campaign to promote the nutritional benefits of Murcian lemons.

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