Cold night of protest for potato farmers

AROUND TWO hundred potato farmers spent all day and night in the cold with only their tractors for company as their protest against the government’s refusal to grant them several million pounds in extra subsidies continued.

Growers’ wives, under the watchful eye of police officers, joined their husbands near Rizoelia roundabout in peaceful protest distributing leaflets to raise awareness of their demands. A group of around 50 growers also continued sit on tractors at the potato growing village of Akaki.

Police spokesman Demetris Demetriou said scenes were peaceful compared to the previous day, when growers and police clashed during a series of demonstrations across the island, resulting in three arrests and one farmer being hospitalised.

Andreas Karios, President of the Potato Growers Association said farmers would continue their protest until the government agreed to its demands for £3.8 million.

“We will continue to protest peacefully and hope the government will come to its senses.”

Growers want compensation for low potato prices due to competition from European producers since Cyprus joined the European Union. The cabinet has already agreed to hand over £2.6m to compensate growers for poor harvests after bad weather ruined crops. But the government insists an additional payment would go against EU rules.

Agriculture Minister Timis Efthymiou stressed yesterday that the government was standing firm: “We hold the same position as before.”

Finance Minister Makis Kervanos said government was “not looking for other methods” for satisfying growers’ demands “by duping the EU.”