In an attempt to prevent possible losses, various
agricultural organization have launched a campaign against
the Torah observant farmers who dedicatedly observe the laws
of shemitta. This past Monday, 8 Adar I, the secretary
of the Fruit Growers Organization, Ami Uliel, said: "The
shmitta year is liable to cause broad importation of
fruits."
He made his remarks at a meeting attended by the secretariat
of the organization and the directors of the Agriculture
Ministry. At that meeting, Uliel said: "Pressures of
interested groups and various importers are already being
exerted. Their goal is to take advantage of the shmitta
year, in order to breach Israeli import procedure."
The importation of agricultural produce to Israel was always
strictly controlled, because agriculture is a priority
industry in Israel and also the farmers have always enjoyed
powerful friends in the Knesset. However, during the
shmitta year special, more liberal procedures, were
instated to ease the situation of those who adhere to the
special laws of that year.
Five years ago, the general quotas on the amounts of imported
agricultural produce were lifted, and today an unlimited
amount of such produce may be imported, with the payment of
commensurate customs. Uliel claims: "The quotas in Israel are
higher than those determined by international agreements and
every additional increase is liable to cause severe damage to
farming in Israel."
The director general of the Agriculture Ministry, Yossi
Yishai, told the fruit growers: "The Ministry is aware of the
dangers of the shmitta year, and won't give in to the
pressures or enable the procedures to be breached."
Rabbonim and communal leaders warned against probable
propaganda attempts on the part of various agricultural
organizations, and told shmitta observant agronomists
not to influenced by economic pressures, and to preserve the
sanctity of the shmitta year, in accordance with the
halacha, and without fear.
On their recent trip, the American members of the Am Echad
delegation spoke to the Agriculture Minister about the needs
of the chareidi community and he appeared to be sympathetic.
