Meeting farmers' demands "would jeopardize budget"

The government believes that meeting farmers' demands would "seriously jeopardize the agricultural budget and the long-term supply of meat and milk". This is according to the Cvetkovic cabinet press secretary Milivoje Mihajlovic, who spoke on Thursday. Meeting farmers' demands "would jeopardize budget" He said that Agriculture Minister Dusan Petrovic informed the government about the farmers' protest and demands at today's session. The government is trying to find the most realistic solution for agricultural subsidies, but without jeopardizing the supply of basic food stuffs to the domestic market, Mihajlovic said at a news conference held after the government session. The protesting farmers continued to block major regional roads in the northern province of Vojvodina for the fourth straight day on Thursday, protesting the changes in government subsidies for the agricultural sector. After unsuccessful talks with the agriculture minister, their representatives have asked for a meeting with Serbian President Boris Tadic. No agreement was reached at a meeting between the protest organizers and Petrovic late on Wednesday. The farmers are demanding subsidies for farms covering up to 100 hectares, as was the case last year, while the government is only offering subsidies of RSD 14,000 per hectare for a maximum of 30 hectares. The Serbian government in session on Thursday (Tanjug)

Meeting farmers' demands "would jeopardize budget"

He said that Agriculture Minister Dušan Petrović informed the government about the farmers' protest and demands at today's session.

The government is trying to find the most realistic solution for agricultural subsidies, but without jeopardizing the supply of basic food stuffs to the domestic market, Mihajlović said at a news conference held after the government session.

The protesting farmers continued to block major regional roads in the northern province of Vojvodina for the fourth straight day on Thursday, protesting the changes in government subsidies for the agricultural sector.

After unsuccessful talks with the agriculture minister, their representatives have asked for a meeting with Serbian President Boris Tadić.

No agreement was reached at a meeting between the protest organizers and Petrović late on Wednesday.

The farmers are demanding subsidies for farms covering up to 100 hectares, as was the case last year, while the government is only offering subsidies of RSD 14,000 per hectare for a maximum of 30 hectares.