On Monday, February 26, farmers are set to flood Madrid with tractors once again, following the protest calendar that has guided their actions for weeks. The plan mirrors previous demonstrations, with a clear aim: to draw attention to the urgent needs of the agricultural sector and to press policymakers for swift, practical relief. The mobilization is organized by the main farming unions UPA, COAG, and ASAJA, which represent a broad coalition of producers across the country. Hundreds of vehicles and thousands of farmers and ranchers are expected to participate in the demonstrations. The date was chosen to coincide with a scheduled meeting of the European Union’s Council of Ministers, where representatives will consider options to deliver rapid, structural responses to the sector’s ongoing crisis.
At dawn, the tractors will depart from the Arganda bridge at nine o’clock and make their way toward the capital via the National Road 3, the Avenida del Mediterráneo, and the Ciudad de Barcelona. The convoy will converge on Paseo de Infanta Isabel in front of the Ministry of Agriculture, where thousands of farmers on foot will join the procession. From there, participants are expected to head to the headquarters of the European Commission Office, located on Paseo de la Castellana, 46, where leaders from the organizing unions will address the crowd with their messages for policymakers and stakeholders.
In Brussels, ministers will discuss the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and be looking at the negotiation of the so‑called mirror clauses that would ensure reciprocity between EU standards and imports from third countries. These discussions are described by the unions as crucial for maintaining a fair playing field and sustaining farm incomes amid rising costs. Under the banner “The countryside demands support, respect, and recognition,” the sector is also calling for changes to how the food supply chain law operates, a resilient crop insurance system aligned with producers’ needs, tax policies that reflect heightened input costs, and urgent investments in irrigation infrastructure.
The overall message from the protest organizers emphasizes a desire for faster, more effective action to protect rural communities, safeguard food security, and ensure that farming remains a viable livelihood. Participants hope that the EU ministers will respond with concrete measures that can be implemented without delay, recognizing the essential role that agriculture plays in regional economies and in feeding populations across Europe.