Latvian farmers will organise protests in 16 cities around the country on Monday, the 5th of February, as reported by representatives of Farmers Parliament (ZS).
Protests are expected in Liepāja, Saldus, Talsi, Tukums, Kuldīga, Jelgava, Dobele, Bauska, Jēkabpils, Aizkraukle, Daugavpils, Rēzekne, Valmiera, Gulbene, Limbaži and Ogre.
Representatives of this association warn that farmers will be using farming equipment during protests. This means residents will have to deal with possible road traffic restrictions.
“First stage protests are planned to be peaceful, as farmers gather in each region of Latvia in previously agreed upon locations. We will urge participants of the protest to not interfere with road traffic and mover around with farming and other kinds of equipment in a peaceful manner during the protest,” says Farmers Parliament board chairman Juris Lazdiņš.
Lazdiņš explains that participants of the protest will gather at their locations at 10:00 in the morning. The start of actual protests is planned for 11:00.
Lazdiņš previously said the patience of Latvian farmers has run out. “We have to conclude that the current government stands out mainly with its indifference and arrogance,” he stressed.
Using this protest, Latvian farmer want to secure an immediate ban on imports of Russian and Belarusian food products without a transition period, reduction of VAT rate for vegetables, fruits and berries typical for Latvia to 5%, ensure greater accessibility to insurance and working capital programmes for the agriculture sector, and lower overall bureaucracy.
Lazdiņš previousl mentioned that of the demands presented by farmers in November 2023 to the Ministry of Agriculture and minister Armands Krauze only one has been completed so far.
In an interview to BNN, Krauze said most of the farmers’ demands are in the process of being completed.
Also read: BNN INTERVIEW | Krauze: banning Russian grain transit means breaching EU market principles
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Latvian farmers to protest in 16 cities; road traffic restrictions expected
