"At the moment, in Guarda we have the A25 restricted to traffic with an emergency corridor, with a concentration of 200 tractors. In Portalegre, on the border of Caia in the direction of Portugal-Spain, we have a slow march with traffic obstruction on this road, with a concentration of 200 tractors", said Captain João Lourenço, from the GNR Public Relations.
The same source also said that in Santarém there is a concentration of 100 tractors in Golegã, with traffic obstruction on the Chamusca bridge.
"In Beja, between Vila Verde and Ficalho, on National Road 260, we have a concentration of about 45 tractors and four heavy vehicles," he said.
The GNR is, according to Captain João Lourenço, following the movement of Portuguese farmers, committing several valences.
"We are patrolling where there is an accumulation of people and vehicles in order to ensure road safety, traffic fluidity, public order and tranquillity, especially in these places where there is a concentration of people, ensuring alternative corridors on the main roads," he said.
According to the GNR, there was no record of significant incidents of public order change at around 07:30, despite the traffic restrictions.
"We call on everyone who is in this protest not to jeopardize people's rights, in this case, the right to mobility," he said.
The group also closed the A6 motorway, in both directions, one kilometre from Badajoz (Spain), with traffic moving along a secondary road under the “eyes” of the authorities from Portugal and Spain.
Farmers are on the streets today with their tractors, protesting north to south, demanding the sector's appreciation and fairer conditions, in a protest that is expected to block several roads, which has happened in other parts of Europe.
The protest, an initiative of the Civil Farmers' Movement, comes a day after the Government announced a package of more than 400 million euros, aimed at mitigating the impact caused by the drought and strengthening the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy (PEPAC).
The package covers, among others, production measures worth €200 million, ensuring the coverage of production shortfalls and the creation of a credit line of €50 million, with zero interest rate. According to a statement released on Wednesday 31 February, the movement are demanding the right to adequate food, fair conditions and the appreciation of the activity.
Thanks for the report. Next time perhaps you could publish the full statement from Civil Farmers' Movement and get a quote from someone at the protest to balance with the mainstream TPN/Lusa release.
By SHarris from Lisbon on 02 Feb 2024, 12:37
I was stuck in this mess for 9hrs while farmers with the help of the plod caused maximum disruption , in future could they take their muck spreaders to lisbon and dowse a few pollies , and leave me to go about my business , I am a nobody with no influence whatsoever
By John from Alentejo on 02 Feb 2024, 18:53
I am GRATEFUL for the PROTESTING FARMERS!DON'T YOU KNOW THE WEF FIRST GOES AFTER THE FARMERS,WITHOUT FARMERS NO FOOD REMEMBER THAT PLEASE! THEN THEY COME AFTER YOUR OWN PAID FOR HOUSES AND YOUR OWN PAID FOR LÁND! I WOULD WELCOME THEM WHEN THEY WOULD BE IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE! THEY STAND ÚP FOR ÁLL OF US! INFORM YOURSELF ABOUT WEF & THEIR 2030 AGENDA! WAKE UP AND HÉLP THEM INSTEAD OF COMPLAINING 'OEHH I CAN'T DRIVE THRU NOW'! BE GRATEFUL THEY ARE PROTESTING IN THE WHOLE WORLD TO END THE LUNACY OF THE SOCIALIST MARXISTS! LEARN FROM THE HISTORY PLEASE!
By scarlatti from Algarve on 04 Feb 2024, 21:08