Santo da Serra’s farmers have been hit with a double blow. Not only are they about to lose essential subsidies the farmers’ market has also been closed.
The CDU has issued a press statement denouncing the position taken by the Municipality of Santa Cruz by not “guaranteeing the tent that protected the people who sold their produce at the Agricultural Market will be available while essential works are carried out on the old market site.
The tent mentioned by the political party was the municipality’s solution to keep the market running while renovation work was being done on the facilities.
The party believes the city council’s decision is a betrayal of the stallholders. With the tent gone and the Santo da Serra Agricultural Market shut down, they’re left with no choice but to sit by the side of a busy road to sell their goods. It’s hardly a situation that supports an already struggling and overlooked rural industry.
The CDU also appeals, in the name of the public interest, on the part of the Chamber of Santa Cruz, that the decision to remove the agriculture tent from the Santo da Serra Agricultural Market be reconsidered. While the necessary rehabilitation works of the Market are underway, may some sense of common sense and humanity prevail.”
My only question is, these works must have been planned and scheduled, so surely someone would have considered a sensible and useful alternative for the farmers, especially with the works taking place over the winter months. After all, the market not only serves the local community and those who love ‘market Sunday’ as a perfect excuse to shop for fresh produce and enjoy friendly company, but it is or was also a major tourist attraction.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
