Farmers and ranchers gather in Córdoba to protest EU agricultural policies
Thousands of farmers and ranchers from across Spain assembled near Puerta del Puente in Córdoba this morning for an informal meeting of EU Ministers of Agriculture hosted at the Palacio de Congresos. They gathered to express concerns about what they call ongoing attacks on the agricultural sector and to demand urgent, structural measures to address the challenges facing the Spanish countryside, with a particular emphasis on Andalusia.
Estimates of participation varied, with about 6,000 protesters reported by organizers and roughly 3,000 by the National Police. The crowd included senior managers from national and regional groups. The organizing bodies, Asaja alongside COAG, UPA, and Cooperativas Agroalimentarias, highlighted the vulnerability of farmers under current Brussels policies and stressed the importance of rural advocacy against what they described as lobbying that undervalues agriculture. Demonstrators called for fairer treatment and better governance, pointing to stricter controls on production from third countries that require less labor, health safeguards, and environmental protections than those in Europe, as well as disparities across other regions.
The participating associations criticized the latest reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, calling it poorly focused and out of touch with reality. They argued that the reform has increased bureaucracy and imposed new obligations without solid scientific grounding. They also warned about the environmental burden of the new rules, which they say hampers the normal development of agricultural and livestock activities in many areas.
They pressed for state action on water policy, noting the sector’s ongoing drought conditions. They argued that irrigated areas should be expanded and that investment is needed in new storage infrastructure. They also called for support and incentives for dryland farming. Alongside these demands, they urged full enforcement of the Food Chain Law to ensure price stability and production traceability from farm to table, aiming to curb speculation and imbalances across different properties. The protest underscored the sense of urgency across rural areas and highlighted the impact of policy on everyday farming operations.
The announcement drew broad support from diverse groups concentrated from various provinces across the country, signaling a unified stance on agricultural policy changes. In Córdoba, participants aligned with the demands of farmers involved in both crop and livestock production. Members of political factions within the Popular Party, Vox, and Adelante Andalucía also took part in the demonstration, reflecting the broad cross-party interest in addressing rural concerns.
Across the event, organizers and participants framed the protest as a call for practical, evidence-based reforms. They emphasized the need for risk management tools, investment in rural infrastructure, and policy consistency that recognizes the realities of farming in Spain. The message was clear: policies must support sustainable farming, protect the livelihoods of rural communities, and ensure transparent pricing and accountability along the entire agricultural supply chain. This alignment between agricultural associations and regional political actors highlighted the urgency of balancing market demands with environmental and social responsibilities. (Citation: Agricultural associations and regional groups coordinating the Córdoba demonstration)