The mobilization, which began around three in the morning, forced the closure of traffic in both directions on the two main roads, making the junction section between the AP-7 and the N-II in Pontós a frequent protest point for the agricultural sector. The farmers, who accessed the motorway by opening a side passage, plan to maintain the blockade indefinitely until the Mercosur agreement is withdrawn.
“"We must consider that food produced with products that are illegal here will arrive from Mercosur. What governments do we have that use food and the primary sector as bargaining chips?"
The agricultural sector denounces that the agreement allows the massive entry of agricultural and livestock products made with elements prohibited in the European Union, such as certain pesticides or growth hormones. This situation, combined with minimal labor costs and lack of controls, constitutes "unfair competition" for local farmers, risking sovereignty and food safety.
The farmers demand the implementation of mirror clauses, which require imported products to meet the same safety and production conditions as locally grown ones. They also call for a "strong" Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and criticize the breaches of the agreements signed in Cervera with the Catalan Government, which they consider to have been "empty promises".
