What about the Livestock Parks? ...

Α. The study of the Central Union of Greek Chambers of Commerce and Industry proposed the development of 33 new business parks, on undeveloped land, totalling 10,283 hectares throughout Greece and the development of 55 Business Parks for Regeneration, in areas of Informal Concentrations, totalling 62,268 hectares (in addition to the 58 organised Business Parks), some of which are proposed to be developed in two phases due to their size. This is the national action plan up to 2040 submitted to the Government. 8/3/2019

Β. Spatial planning and the establishment, in a simple and logical way, of land use are essential for the development of any country. An important, if not the main, part of this planning is the establishment of conditions and rules regulating professional land use (in industry, logistics, livestock farming, etc.) in such a way as to prevent land conflicts and enhance the competitiveness of businesses in conditions of environmental protection and balance and with a view to sustainable development.

The spatial planning legislation, and in particular the regulations concerning zoning and implementation of land use provisions in the Greek territory, have been and continue to be a negative “historical burden”. A burden with adverse consequences, both for the economic and social development of the population and for the protection of the environment and the sustainable use and management of natural resources. “Business Park Development Action Plan (OP) 2022-2042”. diaNEOSIS, Re.De-Plan AE. Jan 2022.

Γ. The contract for the integration of the project «New Industrial Parks» of C. Γ. Industry of the Ministry of Development & Investment in the National Recovery & Resilience Plan was signed on 21/2/2022, by the Minister of Development and Investment Mr. Adonis Georgiades and the Executive Advisor of TAIPED Mr. Panos Stamboulidis. Within the framework of the project, the creation, upgrading and rehabilitation of approximately 9 industrial parks across the country is expected to be implemented, with a total budget of 65.2 million euros.

Δ. Manufacturing contributes about 9% to the Greek GDP and survives with 60% (SGEI) from the primary sector (EUROSTAT, IOBE, May 2017).

Ε. If the primary sector is recorded as approximately 4% in GDP, and with the multiplier of the primary sector in Greece 5 (Prof. K. Mattas, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), approximately 20% of GDP depends on the primary sector.

If for the 9% of GDP there are already 58 organised business parks and another 88 organised business parks are proposed, simplistically ...

for 20% of GDP how many Business Parks - Livestock Parks should be provided for the corresponding development?

And if we were thinking strategically for development and not proportionally, but in a balanced way, then for 20% of GDP we would require funding for at least 300 (!) Livestock Parks (!) in Greece with infrastructure and proper land use for economic and social development of the population, as well as for environmental protection and sustainable use and management of natural resources. But mainly for agri-food security.

An irresponsible and undocumented irresponsible person «made it clear to the farmers (24/2/2022) that for the contribution of 2.5% of the primary sector to the country's GDP, what the farmers receive as a contribution from the state is probably too much». Agronews.gr, 28/2/2022. (This is the «vagrancy» at the expense of the contribution of the primary sector to the national economy).

The Greek Finance Minister said: The turnover of all primary sector enterprises increased by €1.3 billion compared to 2019 (24/2/2022), i.e. almost 10% in the period 2019-2021. In the period of recession, mainly due to the covid-19 pandemic, the 10% increase is an amazing performance of the primary sector, and rural entrepreneurship should be supported in every way possible.

Farmers are entrepreneurs by profession, because entrepreneurship is the willingness to take action with great uncertainties, and farmers are constantly operating with the uncertainties of weather, climate change and uncertain natural conditions.

It seems that the state authorities treat farmers as second-class citizens. They do not treat them as businessmen, but as ordinary farm workers. But farmers have already invested a lot of money (every agricultural enterprise in Greece, on average, has invested 150.000€ ...), they use a lot of real estate and buildings, decide what to grow and/or what to breed, choose the methods of cultivation or breeding, achieve wealth multiplication with 365 days of work and undeclared family employment, and make sales or even processing agreements until the final consumer is reached.

Livestock Parks are not a priority solution, but a necessary alternative in peri-urban areas, where livestock and farmers are being «raped» by concrete and new urbanisation is «strangling» the lifestyle and cultural values of farmers and livestock entrepreneurship, and must be funded.

Ms Magda Kontogianni, a farmer, Menidi (6932094231) says: The Livestock Association of Attica Region is keenly interested in the creation of Livestock Parks in Attica, where the strong expansive cementing of real estate has destroyed the natural vital survival space of the Attica livestock industry and professional breeders. Livestock Parks are perhaps not the ideal solution for Greek Livestock, but they are a proposed solution of necessity in the peri-urban livestock industry of Attica, where pastures have been encroached upon and settlements or «housing densities» or forests have been built, with the wrong management guidelines to date.

And Mr Yannis Kontogiannis, president of the Livestock Association of Attica Region adds: The funding of the Livestock Parks in Attica could be financed by the Recovery Fund by including the project in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The Livestock Parks could be owned by the neighbouring municipality, and could be managed by collective structures (Cooperatives, JEPs, LFAs, etc.) of the participating farmers. The inclusion of Livestock Parks in peri-urban Attica should be pursued as a last-ditch effort to ensure partial agri-food security and the survival of the much-needed peri-urban livestock industry. Peri-urban agriculture and livestock farming is essential to support the survival of the large artificial unnatural concrete city, which concentrates half the population of the Greek state.

In New Agricultural Agreement 2040 of Attica Countryside which will be discussed at the Hybrid Conference on 18 May 2022 (10.00-16.00) should also discuss the issue of Business Parks in the Attica countryside, including Livestock Parks.

The Livestock Association of the Region of Attica organizes every Wednesday, at 21.00, public online discussions with one of the six sessions of the conference «AGRICULTURAL AGREEMENT 2040 of the Attica Countryside».

The Wednesday, 2 Mar 2022, on 21.00 the online public debate on zoom on https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83169326681?pwd=V1Avem5IMDlKakpJei9rQjRPVXhVZz09 the point is: Local Supply Chain. A Local Supply Chain with indigenous breeds and local varieties, with respect for the care and balance of the environment, with Livestock Parks, with Farmers' Markets, with Eco-craft so that local producers can reap the added value of their production, with proper waste management (bio-waste, animal feed), with the use of manure for biogas, with the management of dead animals, with the ability to produce food for all, with Local Quality Standards.