Farmers fight on
Protests continues in Extremadura, Almería and Granada
FARMERS in fluorescent yellow vests have blocked major routes in Spain with tractors and other vehicles in the latest mass protest over what they say are plummeting incomes for agricultural workers.
The rallies, predominantly in the Extremadura region that borders Portugal, were called by several unions to demand government action to ensure more realistic retail prices for fruit and vegetables.
Angel Garcia, head of the regional young farmers association Asaja, said about 700 tractors were blocking the roads and urged all farm workers in Extremadura to strike.
On the other side of Spain, police tried to prevent farm workers blocking both sides of the A7 near the south-eastern town of El Ejido. Farmers also dumped crates of cucumbers and tomatoes on roads and started small fires.
Protests across Spain against high production costs and low prices for farm produce pose a challenge for the country's month-old Socialistled coalition government as the European Union plans to cut agricultural subsidies. The protests also come amid tariff threats by the US.
The unions and the government also blame major supermarket chains for slashing prices on fruit and vegetables and forcing farmers to sell their goods for less.
Jorge Garcia Luna, who grows almonds and olives, said that with big grocery chains trying to maximise profits, the farmer becomes 'the weakest link in the chain'.
"We are in a situation that you can't afford to abandon farming but you can't afford to keep going," he said.
Industry officials say overall farm income dropped by 9% in 2019, the Spanish daily El Pais reported.
Tobacco co-operative manager Jose Maria Ramos said that with export losses expected from Britain's departure from the EU and a proposed 14% cut in EU subsidies, farmers have no choice but to protest.
"This is going to make it even more difficult to continue with the cultivation of tobacco," said Mr Ramos. "People just can't go on, they go into the streets and show their anger."
Officials from main agricultural organisations met members of three political parties in parliament on Tuesday and were to have more talks later with the Labour Ministry and deputy PM Pablo Iglesias.
The unions met the government last week but continued their protests as no support agreement was reached.
Government spokeswoman Maria Jesus Montero said the government understands the farmers' plight, and plans to modify a food law that covers production and distribution to ensure agricultural workers get a fairer deal.
Granada protest
Another protest held in Granada saw over 700 tractors, according to organisers, block the main roads leading to the city on Wednesday. Traffic buildups reached several kilometres along the A-92 motorway (from Murcia and Almería to Sevilla) around Granada.