Illa urges EU to prioritise Catalonia in industrial policy and boost support for housing and farmers

Catalan President Salvador Illa has called on EU institutions to prioritise industrial regions such as Catalonia under the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, while urging greater European support for housing and farmers during meetings in Brussels on Wednesday.

Speaking at the European Committee of the Regions, Illa argued that Europe's competitiveness and strategic autonomy depend on its industrial base.

"'Made in Europe' will only be credible if it is built on regions with a strong industrial base, such as Catalonia," he said, calling for priority to be given to industrial acceleration areas under the proposed legislation.

The Act, put forward by the European Commission in March, would favour European companies in public procurement and certain public funding decisions in strategic sectors.

Illa also called for regions to be involved in its implementation and said industrial development must not come at the expense of climate ambitions.

Housing, farming, and Catalan

In a meeting with European Council President António Costa, Illa discussed the housing crisis, farmers' protests and the bid to recognize Catalan as an official EU language.

He also urged European institutions to prioritise the common good amid the rise of populism and the far right.

On agriculture, Illa called on the European Commission to mobilise additional aid from the EU's agricultural reserve for farmers and livestock producers facing falling prices, rising costs and declining profitability.

He also opposed cuts to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the EU's 2028-2034 budget and argued that regions should play a key role in managing agricultural funds.

Meeting European Parliament housing committee chair Irene Tinagli, Illa described housing as the main source of inequality and called for coordinated action across all levels of government to improve access to affordable homes.

He also welcomed plans for Barcelona to host a European Committee of the Regions housing seminar in February.