Huge farmers' protests also in Greece

Farmers are also protesting in Greece. They say that the changes proposed by the government are only crumbs. They announce that this is just the beginning of their activities. What are the Greeks on about? We are checking.

The president of EOASK (United Federation of Agricultural Associations of Karditsy), Kon/nos Tzelas, called on all Karditsa residents to support the farmers’ fight by participating in symbolic blockades and Saturday’s rally in Thessaloniki.

Assemblies were held in Messolonghi, Lefkada, Achaea, Atalanti, Amaliada, while farmers from Platykampos Larissa, Almyros and Stefanovikeiou Magnesia, Zarkos and Kalambakas Trikala, Thessaliotida Fthiotida began blocking national roads.

Farmers want to block Agrotica

Their goal is to block the “Agrotica” exhibition in Thessaloniki. The leading exhibition event dedicated to agricultural economy starts on Thursday (01/02) and ends on Saturday (03/02) with the presence of the responsible minister, Lefteris Avgenakis.

The first tractors tried to get to Thessaloniki yesterday (31/01). Farmers and breeders from Serres, Halkidiki, Giannitsa, Derveni, Kilkis and other regions brought 300 tractors to the South Arch of the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Center ahead of the opening of the 30th edition of Agrotica. The second, largest wave is expected on Saturday.

The Minister of Agriculture refused to meet with representatives of the Federation of Thessaly and answer their questions. Why are the doors of the ministry not open to meet our righteous demands. The government has taken no significant steps to protect our labor to reduce the enormous production costs and prices that traders impose on us. The compensation awarded is not even enough to cover the costs of cultivation. The negative consequences of the CAP are now visible for the survival of subsistence farmers in our country and in Europe. Farmers, breeders, beekeepers, fishermen, we are now increasing the pressure – say farmers in the Greek media.

The government, recognizing the seriousness of the situation, took action and announced a second round of first aid for injured farmers in the amount of EUR 5,000 to EUR 10,000, depending on the damage to the equipment.

We have general problems of the primary sector, which are not only Greek, but European and repeated with great frequency, as well as the specific problems of Thessaly, which has suffered from an unprecedented natural disaster, said the Prime Minister of Greece, Kiriakos Mitsotakis, trying to calm the rebellion and admitted that ” more needs to be done.”

Kyriakos Mitsotakis even pledged to launch a mechanism for the refund of a special consumption tax on agricultural oil this year, if he finds money for it in the budget.

On February 9, farmers will hit the roads again!

What do Greek farmers demand?

The list of demands with which Greek farmers take to the streets is long and includes:

establishing a minimum amount to be paid (immediately, not in June), e.g. for cotton or corn the amount would be EUR 300/page. For breeders, EUR 350 per animal. As with other crops and beekeeping, compensation should be calculated on the basis of production costs, expected production and damages per producer, which significantly exceed the insured value set out in the ELGA Regulation.

Greek media write about farmers' protests on an ongoing basis, including: In, photo screen — Greek media write about farmers’ protests on an ongoing basis, including: In, photo screen

Replenishment of lost income in crops that have been damaged and are not compensated, e.g. grapevine downy mildew. ELGA, a state body that compensates 100% of damages and does not embezzle.

Timeline and projects for repairing damage and draining flooded fields on the former Lake Carla.

Cropping restrictions and aid/subsidy cuts imposed by the new CAP should also not apply.

Supplementing the income of livestock farmers until lost animals are rehabilitated and obtaining an income for their own needs, and of farmers until their fields become productive.

No changes in land use and preventing fields from being filled with photovoltaics.

Compensation 100%, without conditions, for damages to crop production, agricultural capital (plant, animal, durable), shops, machinery, warehouses and stored production to all affected farmers (according to main occupation and not).

Take all necessary measures to provide 100% financial assistance to those affected by the disaster and immediately grant emergency aid (6,600 euros) to every family and agricultural enterprise.

Immediate granting of housing benefit to those who do not live in their homes. Granting a monthly allowance of at least EUR 1,500, which will be increased by EUR 300 for each child until the damage is repaired to all injured parties.

Granting related aid without any conditions, limits or ceilings on the supply of production to cattle farmers, the only criterion being the IACS declaration. Breeders and beekeepers in particular should accept all statements made by injured parties regarding losses to animals and bee families.

Ensuring, under the responsibility of the State, the supply of affected livestock farmers with feed and other resources necessary for the survival of their herds.

Permission for a permanent milking parlor in makeshift cement shelters.

Greek media write about farmers' protests on an ongoing basis, including: TaNea, photo: screen — Greek media write about farmers’ protests on an ongoing basis, including: TaNea, photo: screen

Exempt those interested from municipal fees, rents, ENFIA, VAT, OAEE – OGA, TOEB, GOEB, freeze debts to the state – banks – liquidators without subsidies.

Suspension of energy, water and telecommunications bills for households and businesses for six months. Heating subsidy for all affected people.

Immediately cease all seizure and auction procedures. Freezing all debts without payments for the period during which the injured parties will not be able to repay them. Interest write-off and bold capital cuts in bank loans.

Ensuring access to all agricultural land and immediate repair of embankments and irrigation networks where they have been damaged. Immediate expansion of the underground irrigation system.

Development and implementation of an integrated plan of infrastructure projects that will definitively solve the problem in all disputed areas where flooding occurs, and the necessary flood protection and shielding projects.

Reduction of production costs. Tax-free crude oil, a cap on the price of rural electricity of 7 cents/kWh and the liquidation of the Energy Exchange, subsidies and the abolition of VAT on inputs and supplies.