Spanish Farmers Join EU wide protests against agricultural policies

Agricultural unrest reached Spain on Tuesday as farmers staged protests, blocking major highways across the country. This wave of demonstrations mirrors similar actions by agricultural workers in various European Union (EU) nations, including Germany, France, and Belgium. The farmers voice concerns over escalating costs, taxes, and what they perceive as stifling EU bureaucracy. The primary grievance revolves around EU regulations, which, according to the farmers, impede their ability to thrive in an intensely competitive market.

Donaciano Dujo, Vice President of the Spanish agricultural advocacy group ASAJA, highlighted the shared challenges faced by farmers across the EU, emphasizing the need for a unified response. In preparation for larger union-led protests scheduled for Thursday, farmers mobilized tractors, initiating mass blockades that disrupted traffic flow in regions such as Seville, Granada, and Girona.

A major contention centers on EU policies that farmers argue prioritize environmental protection at the expense of their competitiveness against counterparts from non-EU countries, particularly in Latin America. Complaints include excessive paperwork, diverting time and resources away from farming activities. Farmers like Eva Garcia underscored the impact of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, describing it as suffocating.

Responding to mounting pressure, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the intention to repeal a controversial law targeting pesticide reduction, acknowledging it as a source of polarization. In Spain, the Agriculture Ministry pledged €269 million ($289 million) in aid to support around 140,000 farmers affected by a prolonged drought and market downturns linked to the conflict in Ukraine.

Catalonia, grappling with a three-year drought, declared a state of emergency last week, intensifying the urgency of addressing agricultural challenges. In Italy, farmers gathered in anticipation of a protest in Rome, receiving support from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, concerns persist among Italian farmers regarding government proposals to terminate tax subsidies in the agricultural sector. The multifaceted nature of these protests reflects a broader discontent within the agricultural community across the EU.