Potato farmers issue ultimatum

POTATO farmer shave issued the government a one-month ultimatum to meet their demands or face industrial action which could include blockades of major roads with tractors.

Representatives of farming organisation met in Liopetri on Thursday night to discuss the current situation in the potato industry. Farmers have long expressed their fears over their future once the island joins the European Union next year, when they will face unbridled competition while the government will be forced to cut financial subsidies.

The meeting concluded with a decision to give the government one month in which to hold meetings with farming organisations to negotiate measures and general policies it plans to follow in the industry.

Farmers stressed the state had to compensate potato growers who were giving up their professions and the operation of the Cyprus Potato Marketing Board would have to remain in place, despite the loss of its monopoly. They also agreed the Cabinet had to approve an Agriculture Ministry proposal to increase this year’s grants by seven per cent. The agricultural organisations said they would reconvene in a month’s time to determine whether progress had been made in the negotiations. If they are not happy, they will take action.

Famagusta deputies present at Thursday night’s meting said the House of Representatives backed the potato farmers and would support them. Although national interests had been at stake in joining the EU, forcing potato farmers to suffer, they assured the 3,500 families that depended on the industry that they would not be abandoned to their own fate.

Last year potato farmers, blockaded the Rizoelia roundabout regulating access to the Famagusta, Nicosia and airport motorways. The strikes lasted five days and caused havoc on the islands roads. They were demanding an end to social insurance payments for seasonal foreign workers, diesel subsidies, and a settlement of farmers’ debts.

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