This Thursday, farmers took to the streets with their tractors, from north to south, demanding recognition of the sector and fair conditions in a protest that is expected to block several roads, as has happened in other parts of Europe.
We are talking about the initiative of the Civil Farmers’ Movement, which began at 6 o’clock in the morning.
The protest comes a day after the government announced a package worth more than €400 million aimed at mitigating the effects of drought and strengthening the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (PEPAC).
According to a statement released this Wednesday, farmers are demanding the right to adequate food, fair conditions and recognition of their activities.
The movement, which describes itself as spontaneous and non-partisan, ensured that Portuguese farmers were ready to “defend themselves against the constant attacks on sustainability, food sovereignty and rural life.”
Alentejo farmers have vowed to blockade the region’s three main borders with Spain with tractors and agricultural machinery, namely Caia (Elvas, Portalegre district), Mouran (Evora) and Vila Verde de Ficalho (Serpa, Beja district).
Protest has also grown in countries such as Spain, Belgium, Greece, Germany and Italy.
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Updated February 1, 2024 | 10:04
Trucks from Spain were banned from entering Portugal due to a farmers’ protest on the A6 highway in Elvas
NTC soldier calms tensions during farmers’ protest in Vilar Formoso
“Our state that abandoned us”: A disgruntled farmer takes part in the march on Ponte da Chamusca
Bioregions demand restoration of all aid to organic farming
Five Portuguese bioregions demanded this Thursday that the government resume all aid to organic agriculture and warned the authorities of the “strong impact” on their territory of the planned reduction of eco-regimes.
In a joint note sent this Thursday to the Lusa agency, the bioregions of Idanha a Nova, Lagos do Sabor, S. Pedro do Sul, Alto Tamega and Barroso, Marge Esquerda do Guadiana and the Portuguese coordinator of the International Network bioregions. stressed that Portugal has committed to increase the area of organic production to 19% of SAU.
They added that this is “a clear signal of their intention to support cleaner production methods, with this goal dependent on direct assistance in converting and maintaining organic production methods.”
“The Ministry of Agriculture does not exist”: Farmers are unhappy with the lack of support
With flag raised and protest posters: images of Elvas farmers
The A25 is cut in both directions at Vilar Formoso and the EN260 at the Alentejo border at Vila Verde de Ficalho.
Around 100 tractors and agricultural machines cut the National Road 260 (EN260) in the Vila Verde de Ficalho (Beja) area, close to the border with Spain, from 3am as part of a farmers’ demonstration. Dozens of agricultural vehicles and farmers have been blocking traffic on Highway 25 (A25) between the Leomil and Vilar Formoso intersection in Guarda since 6 am.
At the exit from Vila Verde de Ficalho towards Spain, where there are also some vehicles and members of the NTC, the first tractors are parked in the middle of the road and crossed.
Farmers blocked traffic on the A6 highway in Elvas
A group of farmers blocked the A6 motorway in both directions one kilometer from Badajoz (Spain), with traffic moving along a secondary road under the “supervision” of the Portuguese and Spanish authorities.
The A6 motorway was closed in the area near Spain at 6.40am in a “peaceful and orderly manner”, according to the Civic Farmers Movement, which is promoting the protest.
At around 7am, another convoy of vans and all-terrain vehicles, led by a GNR vehicle, entered the A6 motorway towards the Caia border, but shortly after the Elvas Oeste intersection where it entered, two vehicles, one in each lane, stopped.
National Road 4 in the Portalegre area was also temporarily closed to traffic.
Farmers block Chamuska Bridge
Traffic on the Chamuska Bridge is snarled due to a protest by farmers blocking the road with tractors.
Author: Lusa This morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.