The Protests in France intensified this weekand farmers used their tractors to block major highways to Paris.
Farmers protest across Europe
In the last weeks, farmers from all over Europeincluding Belgium, Germany, Poland and Romania as well They held demonstrations.
“There will be mobilizations, and as soon as possible”he claimed Pedro Barato, president of Asaja, a Spanish association that represents some 200,000 farmers and ranchers, to a local radio station, adding that the actions will not be very different from those seen in other European countries. Protests will take place in the coming weeks, the organizations said in a joint statement. Asaja members will meet on February 1 to make preparations.
Why farmers take to the streets to protest
The drought in southern Spain affected farmers and the production of several cropslike rice and olives, decreased in the last two years.
The largest groups of farmers in Spain (Asaja, COAG and UPA) also share the same complaints as their peers from other European countries, alleging that environmental regulations imposed by Brussels are undermining the profitability of crops and increasing food prices. Spanish farmers said they were also struggling to compete with products imported from outside the EU at lower prices.
The difficulty in transporting fruits, vegetables and other goods due to the protests in Europe
As French protests intensifiedsome 20,000 Spanish trucks that cross the border every day had difficulties transporting fruits, vegetables and other goods. The Spanish transport association, Fenadismer, estimates that Blockades cause daily losses of 10 million euros (10.84 million dollars) to Spanish companies.
Among other requirements, Spanish organizations They plan to ask Brussels to stop negotiations with the Mercosur trade blocas well asTrade agreements with Chile, Kenya, Mexico, India and Australia.
“It is time for (European and national authorities) to take note, rectify and reform their strategies for the countryside,” Asaja stated.
Source: Ambito
