Farmers begin to leave roadblocks – Next steps

The agricultural and livestock roadblocks are gradually being cleared today, after more than 50 days of protests. Farmers, livestock breeders, fishermen, and beekeepers are expected to leave most of the roadblocks today, Friday, with some already having departed.

The producers, who defied government threats, attempts to divide them, and adverse weather conditions, are now assessing their strength and deciding on their next moves. At the same time, the organization of a new nationwide meeting in early February is also on the table.

Farmers Departing from Nikaia and Karditsa

The farmers from Nikaia have decided to orderly remove their tractors from the roadblock today, Friday. A rally will follow in the city of Larissa.

However, the possibility of convening a new nationwide meeting in the near future remains open, with a proposal to organize a demonstration in Athens.

Similarly, the farmers from Karditsa have decided to leave the roadblock they set up on the E65 highway.

Following a closed meeting held in Sofades, with representatives from dozens of local agricultural associations, it was decided that the tractors will leave on Friday and Saturday at 12 noon.

Roadblocks in Northern Greece Also Cleared

Today, farmers will depart from the Malgara tolls on the Thessaloniki-Athens national road, as well as from the roadblock in Chalkidona on the old Thessaloniki-Edessa national road. The roadblocks at the Triglia junction on the Thessaloniki-Moudania highway and at the Kouloura junction by the farmers of Imathia will also be cleared today.

Farmers and livestock breeders will also leave the roadblocks at Gypsokhori, Pella on the Thessaloniki-Edessa highway, and at the “Alisida” point in the intersection of Drosia, Pella, where tractors from the regions of Vegoritis and Kaimaxtalan had been stationed. Simultaneously, farmers from Edessa will leave the “Fanaraki” point on the city’s peripheral road.

In Pieria, today, the tractors from the farmers of Aiginio will be removed from the old Thessaloniki-Katerini national road, and those from the municipality of Dio-Olympus from the Varykos junction. In Nevrokopi, Drama, the farmers will also return to their bases after removing the roadblock set up 500 meters from the Exochi customs, at the border with Bulgaria.

Farmers from the Kavala region, who had set up their tractors in Chrysoupoli, at the Musthenis junction on the Egnatia Odos, and at Stavros Amigdalion, will also depart. This marks the gradual release of the roadways in Eastern Macedonia, as part of the end of the agricultural and livestock protests.

Farmers Have Already Left the Bar Junction in Siatista

In Western Macedonia, the farmers who had stationed their tractors at the Bar junction in Siatista, on the Egnatia Odos, left yesterday. Today, farmers are expected to leave the Filota junction on the Kozani-Floreina vertical axis and the Niki customs at the border with North Macedonia. Yesterday, the roadblock at the Evzones customs was also cleared by farmers from the regions of Paeonia, Kilkis, Giannitsa, and Pella.

The last farmers to leave will be those from Serres, who have decided in a general assembly to dismantle the roadblock at Promachonas on Monday, January 26th, after holding a motorcade in the center of Serres city.

Earlier this week, farmers had already left the “Green Lanterns” near the “Macedonia” airport, the Derveni junction on the old Thessaloniki-Kavala road, the Nisselio junction on the Egnatia Odos Thessaloniki-Veroia, and the Kerdylio junction on the Egnatia Odos Kerdylio-Serres. Additionally, the Kokkino Geia-Prosochani intersection, a key connection point for the region, which leads to both the Greek-Bulgarian border at Exaplatano pass and the city of Drama, had also been cleared.

New Nationwide Meeting in Early February

Meanwhile, in early February, the Nationwide Committee of Roadblocks is expected to hold a new nationwide meeting, where crucial decisions will be made regarding the future course of actions and possible escalation of protests. Among the main topics on the agenda are organizing a pan-agricultural rally in Athens, as well as planning actions for the 31st International Agricultural Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Exhibition “Agrotica.”

It is worth noting that this year’s Agrotica will now be held from March 12th to 15th, as its original dates (January 29th to February 1st) were postponed due to the ongoing agricultural and livestock protests across the country.

Despite the end of the roadblocks, the producers emphasize that their demands remain open. They point out that in the coming period, they will seek new meetings with government officials – some appointments have already been scheduled – to further discuss the measures announced and address the local problems of each region, with the goal of finding practical and sustainable solutions.

Source: AMNA (Greek News Agency)