Spanish farmers join demonstrations

Spanish farmers have joined their European colleagues in organising demonstrations around the nation.

Like farmers in other regions, they want more adaptability from the European Union, stricter regulations on imports from non-EU nations, and more excellent assistance from their government.

They obstructed roadways in many areas, resulting in significant inconvenience for drivers.

An extensive protest is scheduled in Madrid's heart later this month.

On Tuesday, farmers in Spain's northern interior staged a demonstration in agricultural regions, mobilizing tractors in convoys, honking horns, displaying Spanish flags, and holding up banners.

In addition, demonstrations took place in Catalonia, Andalusia, and Extremadura.

The farmers in Spain share comparable issues with their counterparts in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and other nations that have lately engaged in protests.

The farmers argue that the rules included in the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and excessive fuel and energy expenses need to be revised to achieve profitability.

French farmers filed allegations against Spanish producers, claiming they were undermining their business by not entirely adhering to the regulations set by the European Union.

Ségolène Royal, a former French minister, sparked controversy last week by asserting that Spanish organic tomatoes were inauthentically organic.

In the face of strong opposition from the Spanish food and agricultural sector, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez invited Ms. Royal to sample a Spanish tomato.

Spain's agricultural industry reciprocates this criticism towards non-EU nations, particularly Morocco, alleging that these countries are not bound by environmental and sanitary requirements equivalent to those of European producers. Consequently, they can offer their goods at lower prices.

"We are required to undergo extensive inspections and adhere to numerous sanitary regulations that do not apply to products from countries outside the European Union," said Estrella Pérez, a cattle and grain farmer.

Drought has exacerbated the predicament of Spanish farmers.

Several regions around the nation have experienced below-average precipitation levels in recent months, adversely impacting crop yields.

Spain is the largest olive oil producer globally, but prices have surged due to decreased output.

In response to a three-year drought, the most extended drought ever recorded, Catalonia has declared a state of emergency.

In other locations, Italian farmers have been assembling from the northern to the southern regions for one week, expressing their opposition to EU laws and bureaucratic obstacles.

They intend to gather in Rome by the conclusion of this week.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed support for farmers, stating that the European Union's Green Deal would disproportionately impact their livelihoods.

However, farmers are also apprehensive about the government's intentions to terminate tax incentives for the agriculture industry.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen intended to retract a proposal to significantly reduce its use, characterising it as a "representation of division."

The Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, expressed his approval of the statement, emphasising the importance of including farmers in the transition towards a more sustainable future of agriculture, which aligns with our commitment to successfully implementing the Green Deal.