For 40 years again

Malta’s farmers are now also protesting

A farmers' protest with tractors(Bild: APA/AFP/Sameer Al-Doumy)

Malta's farmers protested in large numbers on Friday for the first time in 40 years. "We have been forgotten. We are tired of working and earning nothing," said Karmenu Vassallo, one of the farmers.

Slogans such as "EU kills farmers" could be read on posters. Many farmers blame the EU's agricultural policy for economic sanctions. At the end of the rally, they were received by Prime Minister Robert Abela at the seat of government in Valletta. The last time there were similar protests in Malta was in 1982.

German government seeks talks
Farmers have also been taking to the streets in other EU countries such as Germany, France and Poland for several weeks. In Germany, the coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP now wants to discuss possible relief for agriculture. The Agriculture Commission has been invited to take part. The agenda should include, for example, a reduction in bureaucracy, tax issues and increased competitiveness. The governing parties have announced that concrete steps could be taken by the summer.