The mobilization, which gathered nearly a hundred tractors, began around 3:00 AM on Thursday, cutting traffic in both directions. The demonstrators, part of the farming sector in the Girona regions, have warned that the blockade will remain indefinitely until the signing of the trade agreement with Mercosur is prevented.
“"We must consider that Mercosur foods made with products that are illegal here will arrive. What kind of governments do we have that use food and the primary sector as bargaining chips."
The agricultural sector denounces that the agreement with Mercosur allows the massive entry of agricultural and livestock products made with elements and standards that are prohibited in Europe, such as certain dangerous pesticides or growth hormones. This situation, coupled with low labor costs and massive deforestation, constitutes "unfair competition" for local producers.
Farmers also demand a "strong" CAP and sanitary controls that are "realistic and adapted to the territory." Furthermore, they have strongly criticized the non-compliance with the agreements signed in Cervera with the Catalan Government, stating that most commitments have not materialized, leaving the sector "suffocated."
