Rain does not deter farmers – Where new roadblocks are being set up

For the fifth day in a row, farmers’ protests continue in several areas of the country, despite the arrival of the severe weather front, Byron.

Farmers have lined up their tractors and agricultural machinery at all customs points across the country.

The Malgara toll booths, on the road to Athens, remain closed, as well as parts of the National Road near Nikaia, sections of the E65 near Trikala and Karditsa, parts of the Egnatia Highway, and the Selio junction, on the road towards Veria.

New protests coming

Throughout the day, farmers from Eastern Thessaloniki and Halkidiki, as well as beekeepers, are expected to gather at the “Prasina Fanaria”, near the Thessaloniki airport. As farmer Vasilis Mavroskas from Epanomi told NEWS 24/7, the protest will be a rally rather than a blockade, as they do not plan to block the road initially and will wait to see how the situation develops. “The plan is to stay at the Green Lanterns until 14:00, but due to the weather, there might be a delay. We do not intend to block the road as one lane will remain open for emergencies,” he emphasized.

Mr. Mavroskas appealed to citizens to support the protests, stating that these mobilizations ensure the country’s food security. “We ask for the patience and support of the public, as it is important to understand that prices at the farm directly affect shelf prices,” he said.

Meanwhile, tomorrow, farmers from the municipality of Lagadas will set up an agricultural and livestock roadblock at the Derveni junction, where the old Thessaloniki-Kavala national road intersects with other key roads, including the one leading to Nea Santa, Kilkis. This decision was made during last night’s assembly, where the participation of local producers in the nationwide protests was discussed in detail. Early on Saturday morning (12/6), farmers and livestock breeders from Sohos, Assiros, Kallindria, Koroneia, Vertisko, Lagadas, and Lahana will begin gathering at the central squares of their villages with tractors and agricultural machinery. From there, they will head towards the Derveni junction, expecting to reach there by 15:00 at the latest.

A joint farmers’ roadblock will also be set up tomorrow at the Siatista junction on the Egnatia Highway, with farmers and livestock breeders from Kozani, Grebena, and Kastoria, according to a decision made at the general assembly.

Important meetings this week

Later in the week, likely towards the end of it, farmers are expected to organize a major nationwide meeting in Nikaia with representatives from the various roadblock groups to decide on the continuation of the protests.

Additionally, according to current information, a pan-Thessalian meeting will take place beforehand with farmers from the region.

Over 4,000 tractors in Thessaly

The participation of farmers in the Nikaia, Karditsa, and near Trikala roadblocks continues to grow, with farmers making it clear that they do not plan to retreat until their demands are met.

Today, at 10:30, the president of the United Federation of Agricultural Associations of Karditsa, Kostas Tzellas, is due to be tried in Karditsa for previous protests, and farmers plan to hold a solidarity gathering outside the Judicial Building. The protest will be supported by farmers from Nikaia as well.

Meanwhile, the trial of the two farmers arrested during last Sunday’s (January 30) protests in Nikaia has been postponed to December 15.

At the Largest Roadblock in the Country

At the largest roadblock in the country, on the E-65 in Karditsa, there are now 3,000 tractors, and despite the bad weather affecting the country, the protest remains strong.

On the National Road, at the Nikaia junction, the number of tractors has reached 1,500. As noted by Sokratis Aleiftiras, vice president of the Agricultural Associations Federation of Larissa, no new actions are expected until Sunday due to the weather, only coordinating assemblies.

However, starting next week, rallies in city centers and the blocking of side roads are being considered.

Over 500 tractors have gathered at the Louggos toll booth on the E65 motorway.

Malgara Toll Booth Closed

The Malgara toll booths remain closed from Monday on the road to Athens, as the roadblock intensifies and the number of tractors increases.

Farmers did not close the road to Thessaloniki for several hours as they had done in previous days, in order to prevent accidents due to heavy rain.

Meanwhile, the roadblock at the entrance to Chalkidona on the old Thessaloniki-Edesse national road continues (since 12/1), with protests typically taking place during midday for at least two hours.

Customs at Evzones closed, Promahonas open

The Evzones customs are closed for all vehicles, except for trucks carrying fresh products for export, with vehicles being redirected to the Doyrani customs.

Also, the Promahonas customs are open for all vehicles except trucks, which had been closed for a few hours yesterday. At noon, participants will hold a general assembly to decide their next steps, and a blockade of the customs is not ruled out. Among their demands are the immediate payment of delayed subsidies and compensations, a reduction in production costs, and support for livestock breeders affected by the livestock plague, who, they say, are at a breaking point regarding their business continuation.

At the Niki customs, at the Greek-North Macedonia border, farmers and livestock breeders from Florina are gathered and will proceed with a three-hour blockade from 10:00 AM today.

At the Exochi junction, about 500 meters from the customs on the Greek-Bulgarian border, farmers and livestock breeders from Nevrokopi have been gathered since yesterday afternoon. Their general assembly is expected to take place at 17:00.

Protests in Ioannina with road blockages and meeting on Sunday

The protests by farmers and livestock breeders in the Ioannina region continue, as they demand immediate solutions to problems threatening the viability of agricultural production.

According to the schedule, today (Friday), there will be a roadblock at the Kalpaki junction from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and again from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, while on Saturday, the road will be closed again from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

On Sunday at 11:00 AM, a gathering with agricultural machinery will take place in Lapsista, followed by a march towards Ioannina Airport, where a meeting with all local stakeholders will take place at 12:30 PM.

The Beekeepers Association of Ioannina is also participating in the actions, while political parties and local stakeholders support the protests, calling for intervention from the relevant ministries.

In Thesprotia, farmers will hold an afternoon meeting today to decide on the form of their protests.