26.2.13
Negotiations broke down yesterday between the farmer committee representing 34 roadblocks and the Ministers of Finances, Labor, Agricultural Development and the Environment. The head of the farmer committee Mr. Boutas reported that “the meeting went fine… but they had nothing to give us”.
Specifically, Mr. Boutas claims that the ministers had nothing to say about the main issue, cheaper diesel rates, other than “looking into” solutions, which would not be available before 2014.
The Minister of Agricultural Development promised to return within the next few days half of the special consumption tax entitled, approximately 80 million euros. The second installment will be determined by the weather conditions (and the Minister of Finances). The farmer committee was not convinced that the ministers were serious about finding immediate solutions.
Regarding pensions, the Minister of Labor G. Vroutsis told the committee that age limit will be reduced to 62 years, for farmers with 40 years of insurance. The committee demanded farmer pensions for men be given at 60 and at for women at 55 years old.
The Minister of the Environment, Energy and Climate change appeared to be totally unprepared for the meeting, having nothing to say about DEI tariffs, solar panels, water rates and the arrangement of farms. Mr. Boutas explained that the Minister’s estimations were outdated and unjustifiably optimistic. The Minister called a meeting in a week’s time to discuss these matters in greater detail.
The 22 roadblocks represented by the Panhellenic Coordination Committee are gradually beginning to break up. Only the roadblock in Fthiotida persists, as the farmers are awaiting the trial of farmers arrested in clashes with riot police. Mr. Gontias of the Panhellenic Coordination Committee is waiting for Tuesday’s parliamentary session on farming issues, in case there are any developments.
