Madrid tractor protest: nearly 500 set to roll in

Nearly 500 tractors are due in Madrid, Spain, on Wednesday: farmers and livestock breeders from across the country want urgent action to keep their farms viable. Thousands are expected to join the protest, called by Asaja, COAG and Unión de Uniones. Spain’s agri-food cooperatives are backing it too.

Five routes into Madrid

The tractors will enter on authorised routes from Torrejón de la Calzada, Guadalajara, El Espinar, Buitrago del Lozoya and Arganda del Rey. The five columns will meet at Plaza de Colón, where the march begins.

Protesters will then walk along Paseo de Recoletos and Paseo del Prado, past Glorieta del Emperador Carlos V, to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Before the march, the leaders of the three organising groups are due to speak at Plaza de Colón at 11.00.

Fuel bills, prices and paperwork

The groups want urgent help with production costs, including lower, stable taxes on agricultural diesel and discounts applied when farmers refuel. They also oppose cuts to the European Union’s future Common Agricultural Policy budget.

Farmers say rising costs are not reflected in the prices they receive. They want Spain’s food supply chain law enforced, imports held to the same standards as European products, and less time spent on paperwork. The cooperatives warn that energy bills, production costs and administrative demands threaten the future of many farms.

Topics: Agriculture

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com