Potato growers put off action

POTATO growers demanding compensation from the government will wait until next week to decide whether to take industrial action.

Growers had threatened to blockade the Presidential Palace and Larnaca Airport next week if their financial demands were not met by the government.

But Andreas Karios, President of the Pancyprian Potato Growers Association said yesterday: “We’ve decided to wait until Monday to see what the government says before we make a decision.

“We will meet with farmers unions on Tuesday and then come to a conclusion.”

But he warned “forceful” measures were likely if growers remained unhappy.

Potato farmers say poor weather and competition from EU rivals means they need compensation for bad harvests as well as financial help from the government towards potato production and trade.

Karios has accused the government of going back on its promises to help growers out.
He says growers should be given about £2.6 million in compensation as well as around £3.7 million in financial aid.

No one at the Ministry of Agriculture was available for comment.

Potato growers invaded the runway at Larnaca Airport in December 2002, causing huge delays and flight cancellations.

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