Their descent with 300 tractors from various regions of Central Macedonia to South Arch of the International Exhibition Center of Thessaloniki have already “locked” for tomorrow, Thursday, and ahead of the opening of the 30th Agrotica the farmers and breeders of the area.

Target to send a resounding message to the political system of Greecebut also the decision center in Brussels, that the primary domain “dies” and the food security and sufficiency of European consumers is now called into question, the farmer from Lagadas, Kostas Hatziparadeisis, pointed out speaking to APE-MBE.

As he clarified, until 10.30 in the morning, the 300 tractors that will arrive in the city from three different directions -from the port, Derveni and Moudania-, they will have been placed and parked on the sidewalk, in the South Arch of TIFwhere they will remain throughout Agrotica, i.e. until February 4.

He explained that their placement will be done in such a way that to have a free passage in order for visitors to the exhibition to pass and not only.

“We have no intention of exacerbating the already burdened traffic problem in the city”he pointed out, adding: “Our mobilization is symbolic and is done with the aim of showing that regardless of the political beliefs that each of us has, we are all united as a fist in order to ensure our survival and sustainability.”

Indeed, he noted: “During our four-day stay at Agrotica, we invite all the media, politicians and citizens to visit us and learn about what is really happening with the primary sector.” He added: “it is justified and well the plain of Thessaly is at the center, but the problems in the rest of Greece are intensifying for the Greek farmers and breeders and survival is a matter of time before it is “torn down”.

Where will the “disembarkation” take place?

Growers who will park their tractors in the South Arch of the fair include primary sector people from Serresthe Imathiathe Pieriahim Dinglethe Chalcidice and Redistribution.

It is emphasized that many farmers and breeders will come with their agricultural vehicles from different regions of Northern Greecein order to participate in the protest rally that is going to take place tomorrow, although the time of its implementation has not yet been finalized.

“Because other mobilizations are taking place in the city, by different social groupswe want to make sure that our action will not increase the traffic in the city”, pointed out Mr. Hatziparadeisis and added that the exact time of its implementation will be clarified within the day.

In the meantime, tomorrow morning they have given an appointment to bridge of Thermi the beekeepers of Macedoniawho with their vehicles will go down to the center of Thessaloniki in order to participate in the mobilizations that are planned.

It is pointed out that for tomorrow it is possible that farmers and breeders of the prefecture of Imathia will symbolically close the road on Egnatia street at the junction of Kouloura, while it is not excluded that the farmers from Epanomi may attempt their descent to the airport hub again. In Serres, those who do not arrive in Thessaloniki will hold a protest rally in the city tomorrow, while it is emphasized that farmers’ blockades have been set up in Kastoria, Eordaia, Naoussa and other areas.

The farmers of Thessaly

The farmers of Thessaly decided yesterday at the meeting held in Palamas escalate their mobilizations until they succeed in their demands.

So, starting today the blocks of all of Thessaly coordinated, at 4 pm, will simultaneously block the point where they are in the national and provincial network.

Analytically:

  • the farmers of Karditsa will block E-65
  • the farmers of Larissa in the block of Platykampos will exclude PATHE
  • the farmers of Magnesia will block the old national road Larissa – Volos in Stefanovikio

Farmers will occupy the roadway on footwithout the tractors.

Also, in the afternoon at 18:00 the farmers of Karditsa will enter the city center with the tractors.

At the same time, they send their requests to the Maximos Palace so that the government can process them and set up a meeting with the prime minister. It’s about requests to which the blocs throughout Greece agree.

Furthermore, the Thessaly farmers decided to descend on Agrotica on Saturday and hold a rally at 12 noonat the north entrance of the exhibition.

The farmers of Achaia will pass with their tractors through Patras to end up at the District building on New National Highway, in order to to serve a resolution with their requests.

Marinakis: The issue of agricultural oil is under consideration

Speaking this morning to ERT, the government representative, Pavlos Marinakis, spoke about yesterday’s announcement by the Prime Minister from SKAI 100.3 and the increase in first aid from 5,000 to 10,000 euros per farmer in Thessaly who has suffered damages.

“One of the key interventions announced by the Prime Minister is the acceleration of most of the advance payment against the final repayment… to strengthen the liquidity of farmers. Where they had received 2,000 euros, those who enter the platform by the end of February and make their application with the required supporting documents, the advance payment will not be 2,000 euros, but will increase and go from 5,000 to even 10,000 euros,” he said.

When asked how the size of the damage will be determined, he answered: “There is a scale based on what was initially announced after Daniel and the reason it was initially 2,000 euros and now it is increasing is because the first estimates have been made and it is an amount that seems to it is the minimum damage and so it makes sense for the advance payment to go there and then obviously if there is something more, it will be paid.”

“The requests are not only about aid, they are also about oil, which especially for farmers is of vital importance. It’s been two years and apparently the government is considering repeating this whenever there is an increased need,” added Mr. Marinakis, referring to the possibility of returning the Special Oil Consumption Tax to farmers.

“The benefits of this government are constantly under review. Extra money is given to either farmers or other professionals from the surplus of the economy’s overperformance,” he said.

At the same time, Mr. Marinakis sent a message to the farmers and asked for the tones to fall from all directions: “However serious the demands of a professional group are, they should not lead to the punishment of all citizens and violate the rights of society . I think this government has proven that it is trying, without leading to extreme tension, to solve the problems.”