Potato growers threaten new blockades

POTATO growers have warned they could blockade the Presidential Palace and Larnaca Airport if their compensation demands are not met by the government.

Andreas Karios, President of the Pancyprian Potato Growers’ Association said: “We will decide on the exact measures next week, but they will be forceful – we could march on the palace again or blockade the airport.”

Growers say adverse weather conditions and competition from EU producers means they need both compensation for poor harvests as well as financial help from the government towards potato production and trade.

Local growers took to the streets last March demanding that early retirement and compensation schemes be introduced by the government following Cyprus’s accession to the EU on May 1.

Karios says the government is “going back on its word” regarding compensation for poor potato harvests.

“Before EU accession the government committed itself to helping farmers due to the disastrous weather conditions which ruined crops and now they’re trying to back out,” he said.

“We’re asking for around £2.6 million in compensation, which was roughly the amount decided upon by the Agricultural Insurance Organisation. We also want the £3.7 million in assistance they promised.”

Karios also said most growers were only getting back half of what they spent on production.

Growers will discuss their demands with Minister for Finance Makis Kervanos and Minister for Agriculture Timis Efthymiou at a House committee meeting today before deciding what measures to take.

Chairman of the Cyprus Potato Marketing Board Neocles Tsiapis said: “There are difficulties this year due to EU accession. A formula must be found to satisfy the growers.”

The Minister for Agriculture was not available for comment yesterday, but Kyriakos Patsalos, Head of Horticulture at the Ministry said: “It’s their decision if they want to strike.”

In December 2002 potato farmers invaded the runway at Larnaca Airport, causing the cancellation of flights and huge delays.

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