Three hurt as Greek farmers clash with police
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
Three people were hurt Sunday in clashes between Greek riot police and farmers blocking a national highway in a protest over reduced EU farm subsidies.
Greek farmers have sustained major losses from an infestation of sheep pox, and an EU investigation into widespread subsidy fraud that has delayed payments to legitimate claimants.
Police used tear gas as the farmers brought hundreds of tractors to block the Athens-Thessaloniki national highway near the central city of Larissa, 350 kilometres (218 miles) northwest of Athens.
Officers made three arrests, police said, but the farmers managed to close the highway ahead of additional protests planned for next week.
“We will stay here until (the government) gives solutions,” local farm trade unionist Costas Tzelas told reporters.
Deputy agriculture minister Christos Kellas told state TV ERT that farmers had received reduced EU subsidies as the investigation into fraudulent claims was still underway.
“They received 100 million euros less at this stage,” he added. “After appeals, those who are entitled to funds will receive them.”
The farmers have announced that they will escalate their protests in the coming days in many cities across the country.
The government has insisted that no legitimate farmers will lose money once the investigation is completed.
Livestock farmers are also demanding compensation following the loss of over 400,000 sheep and goats to the sheep pox outbreak, all slaughtered to stop the disease.
The authorities have resisted calls from farmers to be allowed to vaccinate their flocks, arguing there is no proof the measure actually works.
On Saturday, customs officials seized 8,000 livestock vaccines illegally imported from Turkey.
EU prosecutors revealed the farm subsidies scandal in May.
Greek officials say that fraudsters made more than 30 million euros’ ($35 million) worth of false claims for Common Agricultural Policy subsidies.
The suspects are accused of having made claims for land they did not own and exaggerating the numbers of livestock on farms.
The scandal has already led to the resignation of a minister in the conservative government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Parliament is also investigating the affair to determine whether any politicians bear criminal responsibility.
Source: AFP
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
