The recent wave of Catalan farmer protests has ended after the agricultural group Revolta Pagesa agreed to lift roadblocks. This decision followed a Monday meeting between farmers’ representatives and President Salvador Illa, who personally guaranteed government support. Consequently, the Catalan farmer protests end a period of significant disruption across the region.
These protests, which blocked major routes including the AP-7 and C-16, primarily targeted the planned EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Farmers fear unfair competition from imported goods produced under less stringent regulations. Therefore, securing protective measures became a central demand.
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Home » Catalan Farmer Protests End After Government Deal on EU-Mercosur Agreement
Government Pledges Support to End Catalan Farmer Protests
During the Palau de la Generalitat meeting, President Illa assured demonstrators his government would fully adopt Minister of Agriculture Òscar Ordeig’s commitments. These pledges were a key demand from the protesting farmers.
In a statement following the meeting, the President reiterated that defending agriculture is a priority. The government committed to creating a “common front” with farming organisations to establish working groups and advocate for protective measures. These include ‘mirror clauses’, enhanced border controls, and a potential compensation fund. This proactive engagement is one of several recent governmental actions, including the Catalan government’s recent transparency on cyber fraud attempts. Additionally, the government promised to defend farmers’ interests against planned CAP cuts.
Roadblocks Lifted as Catalan Farmer Protests End
Following the President’s assurances, farmers began dismantling their blockades. As a gesture of goodwill earlier in the day, access to Tarragona port had already been cleared. Later, roadblocks on the AP-7 in Alt Empordà and the C-16 in Berguedà were also removed.
Jordi Aguilera, a Revolta Pagesa representative, expressed satisfaction with the outcome. “We leave satisfied, because Illa has made Ordeig’s commitments to the sector his own,” he said. “From now on we will begin the working tables and direct follow-up for the allocation of resources to the sector and the minimisation of the impact of the EU-Mercosur agreement.”
Wider Context: Why Catalan Farmer Protests Ended
Catalonia has been a focal point for Spanish demonstrations against the EU-Mercosur agreement. Similar protests have occurred in other regions and across Europe, including France, Belgium, and Poland. The core complaint is that the trade deal will allow tariff-free entry for agricultural products from South America, where regulations are often less strict. These protests highlight one major challenge, alongside others such as the recent agricultural health measures by the Catalan government to control disease outbreaks.
The Catalan government’s supportive position contrasts with Madrid’s continued advocacy for the treaty. The central government highlights potential tariff savings of over €4 billion for Spanish companies. This debate occurs amid a complex economic landscape, reflected in the recent economic concerns raised by business association Foment. Meanwhile, for further context on European agricultural policy, you can read about the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy on the European Commission website.
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