Farmers congratulate Bitton: After the chairman of the Economics Committee, MK Michael Bitton (blue and white), announced that he would no longer vote with the coalition, except in no-confidence votes, farmers' organizations were quick to express support for the move.
This morning, Bitton closed the committee meeting in protest of Transport Minister Merav Michaeli's conduct, and called for a halt to the agriculture reform of Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman and Agriculture Minister Oded Forer.
Minister of Agriculture MK Oded Forer. Photo: Oken Ben Hakon,
"Do not harm the farmers in the north and the weak in the IDF - and you will get me a partner.
Until then, I will not vote in the plenum, maybe later I will also vote against ... Regarding agriculture - to stop everything until an agreement is reached with the farmers, "Bitton said at the beginning of the meeting.
As you may recall, discussions on agricultural reform are still ongoing these days.
Representatives of the farmers, and representatives of the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture and the Prime Minister's Office are participating in the negotiations.
In the last month, a series of discussions have taken place, with the intention of reaching agreements on the reform.
Farmers say the Ministries of Agriculture and Finance have acted unilaterally by abolishing tariffs on imported fruits and vegetables, yet the intention is still to reach agreements.
This coming Thursday, another meeting will be held on the subject of the reform, Israel Today has learned.
The fruit and vegetable growers salute
Yaron Belhassan, CEO of the Fruit Growers Association in Israel, salutes Bitton on behalf of Agriculture and Farmers: "We congratulate the Chairman of the Economics Committee, MK Michael Bitton, a true friend of agriculture, who constantly works to protect farmers and food security The state, and does not lend a hand to the malicious intentions of the ministers of agriculture and finance in passing the reform of agriculture.
"We expect government ministers and Knesset members to act like him and stand by the farmers," Belhassan said.
Amit Yifrach, Chairman of the Israel Farmers' Association and Secretary General of the Moshavim Movement:
This is a courageous, significant and worthy step that is expected to save Israeli agriculture from the unilateral reform that may destroy it.
This is a wake-up call for Knesset members in the coalition - it's in your hands!
Do not lend a hand to the elimination of Israeli agriculture. "
Amit Yifrach, Chairman of the Israel Agricultural Association. Photo: Kobi Wolf,
Dubi Amitai, Chairman of the Farmers' Association and the Business Sector: "Michael understands that the government's decisions are a sowing of sand in the eyes of the public. ".
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