President of Thrace Tobacco Producers Cooperative Ahmet criticises EU's agricultural policy
President of Thrace Tobacco Producers Cooperative Sinan Ahmet criticised the new common agricultural policy of the European Union (EU).
Speaking to the Turkish press in Western Thrace, Ahmet said that the EU's agricultural policy caused serious problems in the sector.
Stating that the farmer protests across the country in February were a part of the protests across Europe, Ahmet noted that the sector was experiencing serious problems across the continent.
Ahmet emphasised that the biggest problem of farmers in Greece is the cost of production and stated that no steps have been taken to solve this problem.
Pointing out that the measures announced by the government so far are insufficient, Ahmet said that especially tobacco producers in Western Thrace are in a difficult situation.
Stating that tobacco farmers cannot benefit from the European Union (EU) programmes since each of their fields is about 15 acres and the premium rates they receive have decreased, Ahmet said, "The European Union does not help small farmers. It gives advantages to big farmers. We want this to change," he said.
Stating that the protests have stopped for the time being, Ahmet said that farmers' representatives continue to meet with government officials.
Tobacco production, which is important for the majority of Western Thrace Turks, has been adversely affected by the recent economic difficulties and changing agricultural policies.
Although the geography of Western Thrace is extremely favourable for tobacco cultivation in terms of climate and soil structure, Turkish farmers face a series of difficulties.
Farmers in Greece had organised protests in the capital Athens in February, demanding a reduction in production costs, easing tax burdens and support for farmers damaged by natural disasters.
Farmers gathered in Syntagma Square and parked their tractors in front of the parliament building.
