© AP
GREECE FARMERS PROTEST
Farmers in Greece have threatened to block roads in protest at high energy costs.
In a meeting south of Larissa, in central Greece, the farmers decided to demand a meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
At a time when energy prices are rising throughout Europe Greek farmers are demanding subsidies and an end to electricity hikes, which reflect higher prices for imported oil and natural gas.
Greece has one of the highest fuel taxes in the entire European Union making up about two-thirds of the price.
“Diesel costs about 1.60 euros (per liter) while in other European countries it is 70 cents,” said Asterios Tsikritsis, president of the farmers’ association in Tirnavos, a city north of Larissa.
Greek farmers have already been blocking the road between Larissa and the northwestern city of Kozani for about 10 days. On Sunday, they poured milk onto the street as part of their protest.
“At the moment, we don’t know if we will survive or if our herds will survive,” said Argiris Bairachtaris, president of the Tirnavos farmers’ association.