The farmers who blocked the Caia border this Thursday in Elvas in the Portalegre district began demobilizing after receiving guarantees that they would receive support by the end of the month, which was withdrawn.
“We are going to demobilize, I think at the national level, our actions,” José Eduardo Gonçalves, one of the representatives of the farmers protesting near the Cayá border, told reporters.
The farmer said the protesters decided to end their protest after receiving a communication from the Institute of Finance for Agriculture and Fisheries (IFAP) following “high level” discussions with the government.
“IFAP is not a political organization, it is an organization that pays farmers,” and the message from this institute “gives us a certain peace of mind thanks to the negotiations that were held with representatives of this government,” he emphasized.
According to José Eduardo Gonçalves, in its message, IFAP promised to restore by the end of the month 60 million euros, corresponding to the aid to organic agriculture and integrated production that was withdrawn on January 25.
“IFAP, which told us it would withdraw the funds, is now telling us that we will receive it in full and we remain calm but remain vigilant,” he stressed.
Noting that “this civil movement was carried out in 48 hours”, a spokesman for the protesting farmers warned that if payment promises were not fulfilled by the end of the month, the sector would return to the streets to demand their rights.
“If necessary, we will take to the streets with our demands,” he emphasized.
When asked by reporters about the member of the government who negotiated with farmers, José Eduardo Gonçalves limited himself to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office that “the negotiations were at the highest level,” warning that the Minister of Agriculture was not involved in the conversations.
Soon after the agreement was announced, traffic resumed on the A6 and other nearby roads.
This Thursday, farmers took to the streets with their tractors from the north to the south of the country, demanding recognition of the sector and fair conditions, as has happened in other parts of Europe.
The protest, an initiative of the Portuguese Farmers’ Civil Movement, took place a day after the government announced a package worth more than 400 million euros aimed at mitigating the effects of drought and strengthening the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy. (PEPAK).
The package includes, among other things, production measures worth 200 million euros, covering production losses and the creation of a credit line of 50 million euros with a zero interest rate.
According to a statement released Wednesday by the movement, farmers are demanding the right to adequate food, fair conditions and recognition for their activities.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal

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