FARMERS' ASSOCIATION: WE HAVEN'T ORGANISED BLOCKADE OF ROADS IN EAST CROATIA

ZAGREB, July 3 (Hina) - The Croatian Farmers' Association (HSS) on Tuesday evening issued a statement saying that it neither organised nor supported protest rallies held by some farmers in Slavonski Brod-Posavina County. Being dissatisfied with the outcome of negotiations which leaders of farmers, representatives of milling industry and wheat buyers held in Osijek on Tuesday morning, members of the Croatian Farmers' Association county branch again mounted blockade on roads in Slavonski Brod-Posavina County on Tuesday afternoon. According to local police, a few roads, including a state road in Vrpolje toward the Zagreb-Lipovac motor way, were blocked. A leader of protesters, Ivo Kotarac, said the farmers would be satisfied with the price of 1.10 kuna per kilogram of wheat plus costs, but the offer of one kuna with the term of payment of 15 days did not suit them. According to the statement signed by HSS President Ivan Kolar, every kind of protest while negotiations between farmers, millers and bakers are under way should be regarded as capricious acts of individuals. The HSS reiterates that earlier in the day farmers and other parties in the negotiations reached agreement on the price of one kuna per kilogram of wheat plus costs and the payment within 15 days. (hina) ms