Farmers plan protest rally at Thessaloniki fair
Farmers plan to stage a protest rally in Thessaloniki on Sept. 5, coinciding with the opening of the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair, after months of disputes over rising production costs and agricultural support.
The decision was taken Saturday at a meeting in Nea Malgara by representatives of farmers from Thessaloniki, Larissa, Serres, Karditsa, Imathia, Pieria, Pella and Grevena.
The rally is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the White Tower, with farmers expected to bring tractors, according to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
Farmers renew demands
The Panhellenic Committee representing the farmers has called for a broad package of measures, including income support, lower production costs, changes to the agricultural insurance system and protection of subsidy payments.
Their demands also include restrictions on agricultural imports, debt relief, higher pensions and compensation for losses.
Return to protests threatened
Farmers previously staged blockades on major highways across Greece over similar concerns.
When the blockades ended in January, farmers warned that they would return to the streets if their demands were not addressed.
The planned rally at the Thessaloniki fair represents the latest escalation in their campaign for government measures to support the agricultural sector.
