In the wake of the health crisis caused by COVID-19, we have managed to revoke the Basque Government’s mandate to suspend the traditional markets and fairs for the direct sale of food and agricultural products and livestock in the municipalities of the CAPV, published in the Official Gazette of the Basque Country on 8 April 2020, and we are very happy. With the collaboration of the main actors in the primary sector and many other public actors (over 300), we have demonstrated that baserritarras and kaletarras form a community and we know what we want, or at least what we want to fight.

Both baserritarras and citizens are aware that behind each purchase is the choice of a particular country model. We choose the production model, the relationship model, the landscape, the economic model… Those of us who support the markets and fairs are supporting the baserritars, to the extent that we give value to their work, paying, among other things, a fair price. Those of us who attend markets and fairs, those who pick up food at home, or those who approach other small businesses, believe in direct relationships, which gives us the opportunity to really know what we are eating; we get real information about the food of the producer, not advertising. We want to prioritize the care of people and the environment in our consumption habits. We want to buy the products from our baserritars that they sell in the markets and small shops of the city and town, prioritize the trade in local products, get healthy food for environmentally friendly consumption.

As we have seen, interaction between producers, small traders and consumers is essential on this road. Collaboration has been effective and that is why we have seen the need to congratulate all the actors that have participated in it, because we have demonstrated the will and ability to act responsibly in a context of climate emergency and health crisis.

But there is still a long way to go in favour of tailor-made production and consumption of people and environmentally friendly. Working with the Administration will be fundamental to promoting other types of agricultural policy, but as we have seen, the key to the change of model is in the relations between citizenship. Taking advantage of the fact that 17 April is World Peasant Day, we will use it to appeal to small farmers and the consumption of proximity and to all the agents who have accompanied you, as well as to the rest of the population, to spread our message and participate in the proposed initiative.

We buy food for sovereignty.

We call on the citizens of Euskal Herria to appeal in favor of the small baserritarras and the consumption of closeness for today, world day of peasant struggles, (A17) and show their support in our way. For example, you can make a photo by purchasing local products on the market, in a small store, directly to the baserritars or in a similar activity. Next, we ask that the photos be uploaded to social networks with the message "We Buy for Food Sovereignty" and the hashtag proposed by Vía Campesina (#DetailZaitez Etxean). Other projects will also be welcome: bertsos, messages, images,…

At 9.00 a.m. we will publish a video to launch the campaign on social media. We have gathered the statements of 5 voices in favour of food sovereignty. Thank you for helping us spread it!