The town of Foios hosted the first meeting of the 'The Huerta is Ours and We Want It Green' cycle, organized by the Foios City Council's Department of Municipal Services, Environment, Agriculture, and Sustainability. The event allowed for a re-reading of the 2018 Huerta Law, a review of achievements, and the identification of challenges still facing the regulation for its implementation.
The mayor of Foios, Sergi Ruiz, welcomed attendees, emphasizing that “our future depends on preservation”. The session debated whether the Huerta Law and the Territorial Action Plan (PAT) have succeeded in changing the understanding of this agricultural territory.
Maria Josep Amigó, a deputy in the Valencian Parliament, highlighted the good fortune of having a territory like the Huerta, valued not only for its agri-food production but also for its landscape, shaped by centuries of work and acting as a green lung next to Valencia. Rosa Pardo, a municipal architect and former Director General of Territorial Policy and Landscape, advocated for considering the Huerta as a multifunctional space, essential for social well-being.
It was pointed out that, although protection has advanced, there is still a gap between the Law's objectives and its actual implementation. Councilor Amparo Pérez noted that “the farmer's work is not dignified” and stressed the need to project an image of a modern professional, a “3.0 farmer”, to ensure generational succession and adequate training.
The lack of coordination between administrations and the need for more resources were also highlighted. Ferran Gregori, a technician from La Unió Llauradora i Ramadera, advocated for the farmer's role as a fundamental pillar of the Huerta and supported a more commercial agricultural model for a dignified life.
José Antonio Montiel, a law graduate, emphasized the importance of protecting the land against urban speculation and of restoring expectations of food security, while dignifying the work of farmers. The forum concluded with an open debate session for attendees, and the cycle will continue its tour in other municipalities.
