Farmers protest in Greece

Greek farmers have blocked roads in the country since Wednesday, and are demanding benefits and tax incentives from the state to counterbalance the low prices they receive for their goods. The Greek government has annouced a 500-million-euro benefit package, which the farmers have rejected. "Who can give us honest information on the problems facing the farmers and the farm industry, ... on how they sell their products domestically and - especially - internationally?" asks the Athens newspaper I Kathimerini. "We've been seeing the same thing for three decades now, under three different governments. The farmers vent their anger and block the nation's motorways with their tractors. ... When something like this happens, especially if elections are approaching, governments are quick to grant the farmers financial support. But in so doing they ignore the structural problems facing farmers and the agricultural industry. It is to be feared that this move will not solve the problem, but merely pass it on to the next government."

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