MP Zeybek: The Government fails once again on an agricultural bill

Hüseyin Zeybek, MP for İskeçe from the New Left Party, has strongly criticized the government’s agricultural policies. Evaluating the new bill proposed by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Zeybek emphasized that farmers are being crushed under worsening economic conditions.

In a press release, Zeybek stated that the agricultural economy is collapsing, farmers’ incomes are declining despite government promises, rural areas are being abandoned, and competition is decreasing.

He pointed out that Greece has the worst agricultural performance in the EU, citing EUROSTAT data showing a 16% drop in agricultural production in 2023. He also noted that Greece has the largest "farm-to-shelf" price gap in the EU.

Criticizing rising costs, Zeybek highlighted that feed, energy, and fertilizer prices have increased by 30-74%, forcing farmers to protest against the government's flawed policies.

Regarding compensation, Zeybek described the situation as chaotic, stating, “The ELGA regulation remains outdated, the climate crisis is being ignored, and digitalization is not being implemented.”

He also addressed the livestock sector crisis, pointing out that over 70,000 animals have died in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace due to disease, yet the government has failed to take effective measures.

Furthermore, Zeybek accused the government of damaging Greece’s international reputation due to corruption scandals within OPEKEPE.

Regarding interprofessional organization regulations, he argued that the new measures create problems in the sector and urged the government to consider successful European models.

MP Zeybek called on the government to reassess its agricultural policies and take farmers' demands into account.