Farmers protesting at the border of Vila Verde de Ficalho (Beja), demobilized last night, after receiving a guarantee from the Government that they will receive the support that had been withdrawn.
Speaking to Lusa agency, Jose Maria Charraz, one of the elements of the farmers movement, explained that the Ministry of Agriculture “gave in” to the demands of professionals in the sector, with farmers demobilized from the border of Vila Verde de Ficalho “close to midnight” Friday.
JosĂ© Maria Charraz also said that on Thursday it will take place in Moura, also in the district of Beja, “a face-to-face meeting” with the Minister of Agriculture, Maria do CĂ©u Antunes, from 7pm.
Source from the Beja Territorial Command of the GNR told Lusa that traffic returned to normal during the last night at the border of Vila Verde de Ficalho and that “everybody” the tractors that were on site have already demobilized.
Since Thursday, Portuguese farmers have been demonstrating for the valorization of the sector and fair conditions, as has happened elsewhere in Europe.
The Government came forward with an aid package worth more than 400 million euros aimed at mitigating the impact caused by the drought and reinforcing the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (PPQ), ensuring that most measures come into force this month, with the exception of those that are dependent on 'green light’ from Brussels.
The European Commission will prepare a proposal to reduce the administrative burden on farmers, which will be debated by 27 Member States in 26 Feb..
The protests by Portuguese farmers are organized by the Civil Farmers Movement, who joined the demonstrations that have taken place in other European countries, including France, Greece, Italy, Belgium, Germany and Spain.
News: Lidador News/NotĂcias ao Minuto/Lusa
