Hundreds of tractors and thousands of farmers have been on the streets of Brussels since dawn ahead of the European Union leaders' Summit, to protest the "deadlock" in European agricultural policy.
The large demonstration is being held by European agricultural unions, according to Copa-Cogeca, the European organization representing farmers and agricultural cooperatives in the EU.
Over 40 member organizations from 27 European countries have announced their presence at the mobilization, while approximately 10.000 farmers are expected. European farmers are calling for concrete solutions that will ensure their competitiveness, their income and the food security of the European Union.
As Copa-Cogeca points out, the mobilization takes place in the context of an impasse in European agricultural policy, characterized by "unacceptable proposals for the CAP after 2027, lacking uniformity and adequate funding", which agricultural organizations describe as inadequately funded and dangerous for the sustainability of the sector.
At the same time, there is strong reaction to the trade policy pursued by the European Union, and in particular to the agreement with the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay), which, according to Copa-Cogeca, farmers consider a "historic mistake" and detrimental to the European agricultural sector and the EU's food security.
The protesters' demands also include the "need for simplification, better regulations and legal certainty" so that farmers can meet production demands and new challenges.
Source: skai.gr
