ADN-Madeira has criticized statements made by the Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries, Nuno Maciel, during the Madeira Banana Exhibition. The party accused the official of displaying "arrogance and haughtiness" towards the sector's producers.
In a statement, ADN-Madeira asserts that the prestige and recognized quality of Madeira bananas result "solely and exclusively" from the producers' work. The party opposed Nuno Maciel's challenge for farmers to create companies to directly purchase production or seek other distribution channels, alleging that GESBA holds a monopoly on banana commercialization in the Region.
The party likened the suggestion to challenging dissatisfied residents of Madeira regarding the ferry service to Porto Santo to create a shipping company, labeling such arguments as "pure demagoguery and hypocrisy." ADN-Madeira maintains that the Regional Government should listen to and respect the producers, suggesting Nuno Maciel try banana production himself to appreciate the farmers' labor.
