Farmers threaten renewed chaos

Disgruntled potato growers threatened to disrupt roads and go on an indefinite blockade of major roads following a deadlock in talks with the government over their claims for additional subsidies up to CYP 7 mln to compensate against a poor harvest.

They also want CYP 20 mln to voluntarily exit from the profession as they claim their future is bleak following EU accession. Nicos Vassilas, chairman of the Executive Committee of Potato Growers said that their actions would begin on Wednesday and would “escalate by the day,” not ruling out the possibility of extending the measures until December or even February.

Last December potato growers agreed to a CYP 2.3 mln cash injection from the government, but said at the time this would not solve their long-term problems.

While agricultural organisations have offered their support, they do not agree with the farmers’ threat to grind the whole economy to a halt.

Despite the threat, the government has not budged, repeating there was no more money to be given out.

Upon his return to Cyprus from an official visit to France, President Tassos Papadopoulos said it was the right of the farmers to protest, but he warned them from blocking roads as that would disrupt the daily lives of other citizens.

Papadopoulos also sent a warning that ahead of the May 2006 parliamentary elections it would be not wise for the government to agree to pay demands.

Agriculture Minister Timis Efhymiou said that caving in to the demands would drill a hole in the public deficit, at a time when the government is trying put its finances in order with a view to joining the eurozone by 2008. He also added that for potato growers to exit from the profession, the state would need to compensate them to the tune of CYP 50 mln, money which was not available.