Protesting Spanish farmers block roads near French border

World 21:05 27.02.2024

Spanish farmers in the northeastern Catalonia region hit the roads again on February 27 to protest about the sector's struggles, blocking motorways with tractors including a busy highway linking Spain with southern France, Ednews informs referring to AFP.

Demonstrators on the AP-7 motorway began gathering at Pontos some 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the French border, on Monday evening and started blocking the road shortly after midnight, cutting it off in both directions, protesters said.

They also blocked the A2 motorway linking Madrid and Barcelona as part of a string of protests over what they say is unfair competition from outside the EU.

They say such products "do not have to meet the same criteria" that EU member states are required to apply, and they also want Brussels to reduce the red tape, according to a statement from Unio de Pagesos, one of the farmers' unions behind the protest.
Farmers across Europe have been protesting for weeks over what they say are excessively restrictive environmental rules, competition from cheap imports from outside the European Union and low incomes.

Since the start of February, farmers have been mobilizing across Spain.

Catalan farmers flexed their muscles earlier this month when a thousand tractors converged on Barcelona.

Thousands marched through Madrid on Monday following a demonstration five days earlier in which 500 tractors trundled into town.

Brussels was also paralysed by protesters on Monday as some 900 tractors took to the streets of the European quarter where EU ministers were huddled to try to streamline rules and reduce the red tape that is fuelling protests across the bloc.

Furious farmers lobbed eggs, burnt tyres and sprayed manure at riot police who hit back with water cannon and teargas.

Since the start of the protests in Spain, unions and protest organisers have met several times with Agriculture Minister Luis Planas who pledged to ask the EU to simplify its common agricultural policy (CAP).

He also agreed to ask Brussels to ensure mirror clauses -- which ensure imports respect EU agricultural rules -- are imposed on pesticides, and to improve Spain's agri-foodchain legislation so producers are not forced to sell at a loss.

IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

"Türkiye welcomes Azerbaijan's efforts for peace in South Caucasus"
14:53 27.05.2025
Trump could exit Ukraine talks
13:56 27.05.2025
North Korea says US 'Golden Dome' risks 'space nuclear war'
12:01 27.05.2025
Hikmat Hajiyev meets with NATO Deputy Secretary General in Brussels
11:10 23.05.2025
Foreign diplomats visit Agdam Conference Center
21:35 21.05.2025
New Secondary School Opened in Gakh by Heydar Aliyev Foundation
21:22 21.05.2025
Azerbaijani and Turkish Presidents Meet One-on-One in Nakhchivan
21:03 21.05.2025
Opening ceremony of World Cup held in Baku
20:57 21.05.2025
Pashinyan, EU Envoys Discuss Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace
19:52 21.05.2025
New Deputy Appointed to Nakhchivan Education Minister
19:20 21.05.2025
Nakhchivan marks Türkiye’s National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
17:42 21.05.2025
F.Shafiyev: Azerbaijan-Türkiye unity is example of effective cooperation
17:35 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan to build circular power link in Karabakh
17:28 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan, Italy discuss prospects for defense cooperation
17:19 21.05.2025
Ilham Aliyev addresses conference on Western Azerbaijan in Ankara
17:14 21.05.2025
Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan and Türkiye uphold international law for regional stability
17:03 21.05.2025
President of Cuba congratulates President Ilham Aliyev
16:58 21.05.2025
Azerbaijani President: Digitalization of the Middle Corridor is a priority
16:53 21.05.2025
Erdogan: Ilham Aliyev will be remembered as a peacemaker
16:48 21.05.2025
TDT: Azerbaijan is very important for the development of the Turkic world
16:43 21.05.2025
Georgian minister discusses cooperation with Azerbaijani ambassador
16:35 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan, Türkiye mull prospects for development of military cooperation
16:29 21.05.2025
Azerbaijan and Croatia hold political consultations
16:24 21.05.2025
GlobE Network work plan for 2025 approved in Baku
16:18 21.05.2025
Talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia may be held at level of heads of state
12:21 19.05.2025
A Meeting of Nobles exhibition to open in Shusha
12:15 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan increases construction by over 2026
12:09 19.05.2025
How does space "sound"? -NASA created "music" from the sounds of black hole
12:03 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan joins Fez Festival of World Sacred Music
11:57 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan’s parliamentary delegation starts official visit to Spain
11:53 19.05.2025
EU countries agree on big defence fund with Azerbaijan- Diplomat Says
11:48 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan,Türkiye Hold Talks on Education Sector Cooperation
11:42 19.05.2025
Azerbaijani delegation attends Russia-Islamic World: Kazan Forum 2025
11:36 19.05.2025
The official opening of the Azerbaijani carpet exhibition took place in Chisinau
11:31 19.05.2025
Press review of I.Aliyev's participation in the 6th Summit of the "European Political Union"
11:25 19.05.2025
Azerbaijani delegation participated in the International Economic Forum
11:21 19.05.2025
Azerbaijan to be represented at Astana International Forum
11:16 19.05.2025
New agreement between Azerbaijan and Pakistan in the field of plant safety
11:14 19.05.2025
Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijani healthcare has made significant steps along a long way of development
11:08 19.05.2025
Azerbaijani Ombudsman issues appeal on Human Rights
11:03 19.05.2025
Hamısı