Greek farmers block border crossings

Angry Greek farmers protesting falling subsidies began blocking the country's northern border with Bulgaria and Macedonia on Monday. Other blockades continued across the country. Greek farmers block border crossings Farmers, using their tractors, closed off 10 of the country's key road links over the weekend, including the main highway connecting the Greek capital Athens with the northern port city of Thessaloniki. They also closed the Egnatia Highway. Motorists were forced to make detours to avoid adding three to four hours to the usual five-hour trip between Athens and Thessalonki. Farmers' unions said they were determined to close off the main Bulgarian Kulata-Greek Promachonas border, as well as the Exohi border crossing at Drama and another crossing at Evros, refusing any trucks loaded with perishable goods to cross the border. Farmers from northern Greece were also expected to set up blocks on the road leading to the Albanian and Macedonian border later Monday. Blockades were also set up along the east-west highway linking western Greece and Turkey. The farmers are demanding more support from the Socialist government amid reduced European Union subsidies and falling market prices. But the government is already under pressure from the EU to reign in its soaring budget deficit. The average income in Greece has declined by around a quarter over the past decade, according to farm unions. Farmers estimate that their income levels have declined by 25 per cent in the past 10 years. Most of Greece's farming sector is composed of small-scale farmers who rely on government handouts to survive. Last year, a month-long farmers strike triggered major problems for commercial truck drivers and travelers.

Greek farmers block border crossings

Farmers, using their tractors, closed off 10 of the country's key road links over the weekend, including the main highway connecting the Greek capital Athens with the northern port city of Thessaloniki. They also closed the Egnatia Highway.

Motorists were forced to make detours to avoid adding three to four hours to the usual five-hour trip between Athens and Thessalonki.

Farmers' unions said they were determined to close off the main Bulgarian Kulata-Greek Promachonas border, as well as the Exohi border crossing at Drama and another crossing at Evros, refusing any trucks loaded with perishable goods to cross the border.

Farmers from northern Greece were also expected to set up blocks on the road leading to the Albanian and Macedonian border later Monday.

Blockades were also set up along the east-west highway linking western Greece and Turkey.

The farmers are demanding more support from the Socialist government amid reduced European Union subsidies and falling market prices. But the government is already under pressure from the EU to reign in its soaring budget deficit. The average income in Greece has declined by around a quarter over the past decade, according to farm unions.

Farmers estimate that their income levels have declined by 25 per cent in the past 10 years. Most of Greece's farming sector is composed of small-scale farmers who rely on government handouts to survive.

Last year, a month-long farmers strike triggered major problems for commercial truck drivers and travelers.