Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 14-02-12

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Farmers at roadblocks ahead of Thursday's meeting with FinMin

[01] Farmers at roadblocks ahead of Thursday's meeting with FinMin

Farmers told ANA-MPA that no agreement had been reached during their meetings with Agriculture ministry top officials and the Finance ministry's secretary general, who told them that "any changes can be implemented only by order of the prime minister or the Finance minister."

Farmers' representatives on Wednesday are meeting with Deputy Labour Minister Vassilis Kegeroglou to discuss the employment of foreigners in their fields.

At the Kouloura block, on the Egnatia highway in Northern Greece, farmers are still in a wait-and-see stance and according to the vice-president of the Imathia farmers' movement Costas Lioliopoulos an increasing number of farmers are driving their tractors to the area.

Farmers in Thessaly, central Greece, have called a rally for Thursday afternoon, hoping that workers from other sectors will join their protest.

Farmers in Pella have blocked the entrance of the Edessa tax office building while Kavala farmers have set up two blocks in the area.

Some 130 Thessaloniki farmers will drive their tractors to the Prasina Fanaria junction at noon while their colleagues at Vassilika will symbolically block the road at 13.00.

Farmers and other workers from Viotia, central Greece, are heading towards the Tragana tolls, on the Athens-Lamia highway to protest toll fees hikes. Protesters will offer drivers agricultural products, such as spinach, and will open the tolls, so that cars can go through without paying any fees, for about two hours.

Farmers oppose a measure requiring those with turnover below 40,000 euros to keep accounts on spending and income. They demand, among others, a tax-free family income of 20,000 euros, increased by 5,000 euros for each child; that farmers unable to pay debts to the state be not prosecuted; that there is no seizure of property (fields or houses) valued up to 300,000 euros; and a 30 percent haircut in loans up to 200,000 euros. They also hope to reduce production costs (by getting tax-free oil and low electricity rates) and boost livestock breeding.

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