The Minister of Rural Development and Food, Lefteris Avgenakis, invited the farmers to a dialogue during his visit to the Monastiri block in Domoko this afternoon.T

The minister participated in the assembly of the Block’s farmers at the cultural center in Neo Monastiri.

“I am open and available and we will do everything in our power to solve the farmers’ problems. Everything we do, however, must be done carefully because we are controlled by the EU”, explained the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

In response to the farmers’ requests, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications stressed that:

• The request of the farmers of the area to include all the runners-up in the Improvement Plans is accepted, as was done in Thessaly, since the specific farmers were also affected by Daniel
• The regulation of the Ministry of Environment and Energy regarding electricity debts to DEDDIE will also apply in the affected area of ​​Domokos
• The beekeepers of the region will also receive the corresponding support received by the beekeepers of Thessaly, in the context of the Agricultural Reserve.
• Grape, peach and kiwi crops and those who have not yet received advance payments – this covers 3% of the affected areas – will be paid within the next week.

I have no objection to meeting with 15-20 representatives of the Coordinating Blocks, said the minister stressing that problems can only be solved through dialogue and that there are answers for everything.

Asked about the removal from fields of portable materials, the Ministry of Transport and Communications said that he has received their proposal, but will only make announcements when the solution is covered by the EU, because for any initiative taken it is under the control of Europe.

As the minister explained, the disaster was such that it was necessary to draw up, for the first time, special programs, as happened with Measure 5.2 for free replacement of animals and free reconstruction of stable facilities or with the special program concerning the producers of the Parakarlian areas.

The Minister emphasized that ND has always been and will be on the side of farmers.

Regarding the changes to the CAP, he reiterated that he is not happy with the implementation of the CAP and for this reason he submitted six proposals in time which, according to unofficial information he has from Brussels, were accepted. In fact, he said that he is in consultation with the other ministers of the member states of the South (EUMED-9 group) in order to formulate common positions regarding the changes that must be promoted in the CAP and to promote the request for revision more dynamically. Among the 9 countries, further meetings were agreed with an agenda to be jointly shaped. Specifying points that the CAP should change, he referred to ecological schemes, noting that it is a mistake of the EU to give more weight to the environment and differentiate it from agricultural production. Agricultural production is not opposed to environmental protection, he said characteristically. There is a need to change at key points of the “running” CAP. I am optimistic about the changes that will be made, he said.

Finally, as he announced, next Thursday morning there will be a meeting of the embattled ministers with the TOEB and GOEB of Thessaly for the establishment of the Unified Water Management Agency in Larissa. At the meeting, the Ministry of Transport and Communications also invited a delegation of Domokos producers.

Coming out of the farmers’ meeting in Neo Monastiri, the Ministry of AAT stated:

“Why should I not see them (the farmers), after all it is my obligation and I did it with great pleasure because all the political leadership of the Ministry of Rural Development is in different places and talking to farmers. And in fact I will once again repeat the proposal to appoint a delegation from the pan-Hellenic coordinating block and to arrange a meeting immediately. Let there be a delegation of 10,15,20 people, we would be happy to meet immediately because after all, as it was seen today, answers emerge through the discussion. Answers that are absolutely empowering and essentially heal wounds. People are insecure and anxious about the next day. And we are here, by order of the Prime Minister, to put our backs with all our strength. We know very well what they are going through, it is not easy what is happening, but they are not alone. ND and Kyriakos Mitsotakis have proven that we are timeless and will remain on the side of the farmers”.