German farmers are on the streets and fighting for problems that do not exist for Greek farmers, as the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis has resolved them, said the Minister of Rural Development and Food Lefteris Avgenakis, on ERT1, pointing out that behind the attempted mobilizations in Greece , party figures are found.

Mr. Avgenakis, who is in Berlin participating in the Green Week Exhibition and the World Conference of Ministers of Agriculture and Food, explained that:

1. In the last two years the government has returned to farmers the Excise Tax on oil giving a total of about 160 million euros to about 290,000 farmers.

2. It reduced from 24% to 13% the VAT for the purchase of agricultural machinery

3. It reduced by 50% the taxation on the profits of farmers operating through cooperative schemes

4. Abolished the taxation of aid from the first euro imposed by SYRIZA.

As the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said, this policy of the government “is a response to all those who, citing images of protest against the German government, are trying to find an alibi to start similar mobilizations in our country”.

Referring in particular to the farmers of the Thessalian plain, the minister described them as brave, because of the test they went through and are going through, however, he said that they also know that the government was present from the first moment and that it continues to be by their side.

Regarding the efforts that are being made to have farmers’ mobilizations in our country as well, the Ministry of Internal Affairs spoke of “some cries from some farmers who are supposed to be anxious, but at the same time they cannot hide their party origin. In other words, all the efforts to raise up the peasantry in our country seem, quite simply, to have a party sign. It seems that there are partisan shades behind all this,” he stressed. He explained that in their requests, what they mention has either been satisfied by the government or is underway, such as the change in the ELGA regulation that will shortly be put out for public consultation.

“There are problems in the agricultural world. This is clear. And that is why we will continue to fight on a daily basis for a modern and fair ELGA, for a modern, transparent and functional OPEKEPE, for structures that will work for the benefit of OPEKEPE, for a ministry that will be a truly rural development ministry and not just a subsidy ministry. These are our personal bet and of course the bet of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis himself.

And because I see the faces trying to get the farmers out on the street, let me tell you that the party origin is obvious. It is clear,” the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications emphasized, reiterating that he is open to dialogue.

When asked if there will be a meeting with those who are protesting, the Minister of Rural Development and Food reminded that, especially with the farmers of Thessaly, dozens of long-hour meetings were held last week for four days with all the agencies and representatives of the entire agricultural world of Thessaly, but and with pan-Hellenic organizations, such as the Pan-Hellenic Federation of Livestock Associations. In most of the meetings, in addition to him, Theodoros Skylakakis, Theodoros Livanios, Nikos Tachiaos, Christos Triandopoulos and the Secretaries General of the respective ministries were also present, while with the Deputy Ministers Dionysis Stamenitis and Stavros Keletsis and the Secretaries General of the YPAAT, “we returned from ‘ end to end, every corner of Thessaly and we talked about everything and gave schedules. One thing no one can tell us: That what we said we didn’t do. We are consistent! For this reason, a relationship of trust has been built between the Thessalian breeders, farmers, fishermen and beekeepers with us.”

With regards to market controls, the Ministry of AAT said that mixed teams of EFET, ELGO DIMITRA, the General Directorate of Food, with the assistance of ELAS and prosecutors, have already gone to supermarkets and the streets, to check complaints about transport and imports of milk of unknown origin or mixing powdered milk with normal.

The minister also said that after Berlin, he will go to Brussels for the Council of Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries of the EU and reminded that on January 24 the first session – on Greek initiative – on agriculture issues of the EUMED-9 group will be held , which is made up of the countries of the south of the EU, in order to discuss and follow a common position on common problems. As he said, the EUMED-9 meeting will discuss:

1. The climate crisis and what the EU needs to improve to be effective in cases like Thessaly.

2. The problem of fruitlessness and downy mildew.

3. The problem of invasive fish, which concerns all Mediterranean countries.

“We will not stop our effort at all levels,” said the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, reiterating that the farmers of Thessaly are brave because they are fighting in difficult conditions. He made special reference to the farmers of Parakarlia, where 180,000 acres are still under water and emphasized that a separate support program will be implemented for these producers. “We have taken care of all of them. They know very well that for the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis the reconstruction of Thessaly is a big bet, which we will win”.