GREEK FARMERS ROLL TRACTORS INTO ATHENS OVER COSTS

ATHENS, Feb 14 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Driving tractors and agricultural machinery into Syntagma Square, farmers from across Greece gathered in Athens on Friday to protest rising costs and lost income, reported Xinhua.

According to the Greek national broadcaster ERT, around 70 tractors and farm vehicles arrived at the square shortly before 5 pm (1500 GMT) and parked in front of the parliament building.

Organisers said participants planned to remain at the square overnight and depart in an orderly manner the following day.

Farmers' representatives said that after earlier highway blockades, protesters have now turned their attention to urban demonstrations.

They urged the government to implement measures to lower agricultural production costs, compensate for lost income, and provide targeted support to address the impact of sheep pox on livestock farming.

Police imposed temporary traffic controls in downtown Athens due to the protest.

The Rural Development and Food Ministry announced that a platform has been launched to resolve issues with subsidy payments, with additional measures expected to be introduced by the end of the month.

The government also intends to introduce legislation to refund the Special Consumption Tax on diesel at the pump and to hold consultations on revising fuel allocations for each crop.

--BERNAMA-XINHUA