ZAGREB, July 16 (Hina) - Croatia's agriculture and forestry ministry said in a statement on Wednesday "the demands of small groups of farmers and their protests on several locations are not justified".
ZAGREB, July 16 (Hina) - Croatia's agriculture and forestry
ministry said in a statement on Wednesday "the demands of small
groups of farmers and their protests on several locations are not
justified". #L#
The statement came in response to public protests organised by the
coordinating body of farmers' associations which partially blocked
roads in four counties in the Slavonia region between noon and 2 pm
today. Farmers are unhappy with the purchase price of wheat.
The ministry said "the small number of protesters indicates that
farmers appreciate the efforts invested by this ministry and that
they are aware that the current economic situation does not allow
more assistance to Croatian farmers without endangering the living
standards of other citizens".
The ministry and the government have taken a series of steps to
cushion the consequences of recent droughts and have facilitated a
successful purchase of the 2003 wheat crops, read the statement.
400 million kuna has been secured to alleviate the consequences of
droughts, 42 million to compensate for the wheat purchase costs,
and 260 million for the early payment of 80 percent of incentives
for the autumn sowing.
(EUR1 = 7.5 kuna)
(hina) ha