Farmers’ protest in Athens – Their demands
Farmers and livestock breeders from across the country have traveled to Athens — by bus rather than with tractors — to protest.
They are demonstrating over soaring production costs, delayed subsidies, and the consequences of the sheep pox epidemic.
The protesters are gathering outside the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, followed by a demonstration at the Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid (OPEKEPE), to highlight the serious problems facing producers and to call for an immediate resolution to the payment freeze affecting both current and past years.
The rally, organized under the umbrella of the Hellenic Agricultural Association (ETHEAS) with the participation of local farming unions and cooperatives, is scheduled for noon on Acharnon Street, outside the ministry.
According to the organizers, the protest focuses on two main issues:
- Delays in all forms of payments and compensations
- The state of emergency in the livestock sector due to the sheep pox outbreak
“The aim of this action is to highlight the fair demands of the farming community and press for meaningful solutions to ensure the sustainability and future of the primary production sector,” the statement said.
Call from Thessaly livestock breeders
Meanwhile, the Federation of Livestock Breeders and Livestock Associations of Thessaly has called on all breeders in the region to take part actively and militantly in the Athens rally.
According to the federation’s announcement, “the mishandling of the sheep pox eradication process — which has resulted in over 400,000 animals being culled — combined with repeated postponements and delays in payments, has driven our sector to total devastation. We protest and demand the obvious: the means to survive.”
The Thessaly Livestock Breeders’ Federation, in cooperation with the Region of Thessaly, is covering the cost of bus transport from Larissa, Tyrnavos, Trikala, and Volos.
Πηγή: www.news247.gr
