The meeting, confirmed by the Presidency and Revolta Pagesa, responds to a demand from the protesters who sought guarantees regarding the promises made by the Minister of Agriculture, Òscar Ordeig, during their meeting last Sunday. Simultaneously, farmers began lifting the blockade at the Port of Tarragona early Monday, opening one entry and exit lane after spending a fourth night sleeping outdoors. Other ongoing protests, such as those on the AP-7, C-16, and Coll d’Ares, will decide their next steps in assemblies.
“"We ask to lift the road closures and go to the appropriate spaces to debate all the challenges we face; we must form a common front and yield, all together."
This negotiation follows the Catalan Government's offer to the farmers to form a "common front" of demands to be presented to both the Spanish government and the European Commission regarding the Mercosur trade agreement. This proposal was announced by Minister Ordeig after a meeting held in Bàscara, in the Alt Empordà region. Ordeig specified that they would convene a meeting of all agrarian organizations "this very week" to define the concrete requests to be taken to Madrid and Brussels, such as "mirror clauses, border control, safeguard clauses, and an economic fund."
The Minister also pledged to facilitate a meeting with all Catalan MEPs to convey requests to the European Parliament. Furthermore, he confirmed that the sector would soon meet with President Illa, who will reaffirm his "commitment". Looking ahead, Ordeig announced that the 2026 budgets will include increases to address the sector's major challenges and that, following the agrarian elections on February 27, the Consell Agrari de Catalunya will be created as a "useful tool" for the sector.
