This Monday, agricultural producers from Spain and France have organized blockades on various roads along the Spanish-French border, demanding measures to protect the European agricultural sector against the competition from third countries. One of their requests, for example, is the implementation of a tax reduction for agricultural fuel. These protests are taking place in the context of the European Parliament elections, which are being held this week.
The blockades, scheduled from 10:00 AM this Monday until the same time on Tuesday, have affected strategic points in Catalonia, the Basque Country and Aragon, including the roads N-230/N-125 in Bossòst, N-145 in La Seu D'Urgell, N-152/N-20 in Puigcerdà-la Guingueta d'Ix, C-38/D-115 in Coll D'Ares and AP-7/E-9 in la Jonquera-el Voló, as well as the routes connecting Irun and Biriatou in the Basque Country with the N-330 in Canfranc and Sallent de Gállego in Aragon.
Organizations such as Revolta Pagesa and the Union of Independent Primary Sector Associations (Unaspi) are behind the call to action, while other entities, such as Unió de Pagesos or the French Peasants' Confederation, have not joined the protest. Given the prospect of blockades and incidents, the Catalan Traffic Service recommended using alternative routes, indicating that while truck traffic should be heavily affected, protesters are expected to allow the passage of light vehicles and emergency services.
For its part, the Spanish Confederation of Goods Transport (CETM) has expressed its discontent, noting that the road freight transport sector will be the most affected by these protests. The CETC has criticized the fact that such initiatives continue to be organized, recalling the significant financial losses caused by similar protests earlier in the year, and has called on the Spanish, Catalan and Basque governments to act to ensure the free movement of people and goods.
Source: lavanguardia.com