Rising production costs, agricultural product prices and outstanding aid payments are at the center of the protest that the Federation of Farmers' and Livestock Breeders' Associations of Messinia scheduled outside the Kalamata tax office for Wednesday, October 7. The protest was decided on by the farmers' associations of Messini, Chandrinou and Gargalianoi. The Federation called on the area's farmers and livestock breeders to take part, gathering first at the old railway station in Messini.
In its statement, the Federation describes the situation in the primary sector as particularly difficult. It argues that producers face high expenses while the prices they receive for key products do not provide a sustainable income. It specifically mentions diesel, fertilizers and seeds, as well as changes in the price of olive oil. The associations also express concern about the impact of zoonoses on livestock farms.
The main demands are the immediate payment of outstanding aid and the introduction of guaranteed minimum prices that cover production costs. The Federation also calls for compensation for lost income from products whose prices, it says, have fallen below those costs. The demands thus link outstanding payments to the pressure on farm incomes described by the associations.
To reduce operating expenses, the associations are demanding tax-free agricultural diesel at the pump and a cap on agricultural electricity prices of 7 cents per kilowatt-hour. They also seek support for equipment and supplies as part of broader measures to reduce farms' energy and overall costs. These are proposals from the Federation, rather than measures reported to have been approved.
The demands include irrigation, flood and fire protection projects, as well as rural road construction. They also call for changes to ELGA's rules so that damage to production and farming assets from natural hazards and diseases is compensated in full. The demands therefore concern both infrastructure and coverage of farms' losses.
On agricultural aid, farmers want payments linked to actual production and livestock numbers. They are demanding payment under Measure 23 and the release of aid associated with blocked tax identification numbers once the necessary checks have been completed. They also seek changes to the application of ATAK and KAEK for small holdings split into many parcels, and no reduction in funding under the new Common Agricultural Policy.
The Federation is calling for stricter checks on the practice of falsely labeling products as Greek. Its financial demands include a freeze on debts and repayment arrangements with social insurance bodies, KEAO, tax offices, banks and electricity providers. It also calls for an increase in farmers' pensions.
The associations are demanding the abolition of electronic dispatch notes for goods leaving the field and changes to the OSDE process. Specifically, they want the relevant applications to be handled free of charge by public services. These demands add to those concerning aid, prices, infrastructure and cost reductions.
Particular reference is made to illegal agricultural aid, with the Federation calling for the recovery of funds from those who received them unlawfully. It argues that the farming community was deprived of one billion euros and demands its return, although the supplied report provides no independent evidence for that amount. The Federation says protests will continue unless there are substantive responses to its demands.
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