PROTEST OF FARMERS IN VARAZDIN COUNTY CONTINUES

VARAZDIN, 27 June (Hina) - The protest rally of Croatian farmers, which started at 10 am on Saturday in the village of Vratno, some 20 km from Varazdin (northern Croatia), near the border with Slovenia, continued on Sunday, Varazdin police confirmed on Sunday. Farmers started the protest by blocking roads in several counties, including Varazdin County. The rallies were organised by the Croatian Farmers' Association (HSS), with support of other farmers organisations. In Varazdin County, the largest rally took place near Vratno, where farmers blocked roads with some 1,000 tractors, carriages and trucks. The protesters remained on the roads throughout last night and Sunday morning. In a letter sent to the Government on Friday, the HSS urged the Government to adopt an agreement on long-term urgent measures for the rehabilitation of agriculture. The HSS had earlier requested that a ban be imposed on the import of all agricultural products of which there are sufficient amounts on the Croatian market from domestic production. The association also demanded urgent payment of claims for last year's harvest and the change of the purchase price of wheat from this year's yields to US$0.18. (hina) rml