The protests called by Revolta Pagesa against the EU-Mercosur agreement have reached their fifth consecutive day, marking the fourth night of concentrations at strategic points across the Catalan road network. Among the most affected areas are the C-16, between Berga and Gironella, and the C-38 at the Coll d'Ares border crossing, where demonstrators endured the snowstorm on Saturday.
The Minister of Agriculture, Òscar Ordeig, arranged a meeting with the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, hoping that the active blockades would be lifted after the discussion. Ordeig advocated for establishing a 'common front' with agrarian organizations to 'minimize the adverse effects' of Mercosur and the new CAP, and urged the public to 'consume local product'.
“"We want a valid interlocutor, because all this depends on the Ministry. We have already assumed that we have to swallow Mercosur, but we demand a series of points that try to mitigate the adverse effects."
Although the concentrations blocking access to the Port of Tarragona (A-27) and Bellpuig have been lifted, cuts remained active this Monday midday on the AP-7 and N-II near the municipality of Pontós (Alt Empordà). The Tarragona port authority admitted that the protest caused an 88% decrease in truck entries and exits.
Farmers, represented by Guillem Solà, reiterated their skepticism regarding the Generalitat and warned that if some of the agreed points are not met within a couple of weeks, they will mobilize again. Among the demands to be taken to Madrid and Brussels are 'mirror clauses' and border controls.
