Farmers across Spain demonstrated to press for greater flexibility within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), a rebalancing of environmental rules, and compensation for economic losses caused by drought, among other demands. While protests officially begin today, some regions have already seen tractor blockades and street actions a week earlier. The mobilization is led by the three main agricultural groups, Asaja, COAG, and UPA, with support from smaller associations such as Unión de Uniones and various grassroots networks organized through social media.
Although the primary unions had called for protests this week, the plan was solidified after their demands were not addressed in a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food last Friday. Luis Planas. In the coming days, other sectors, including fishing and aquaculture, may join. An independent transporters’ association, the National Platform for the Defense of the Transport Sector, has announced a national strike set to begin next Saturday, February 10. This platform previously promoted a twenty-day strike in March 2022 and coordinated roadblocks around the country. The hauliers’ association, the Spanish Confederation of Freight Transport (CETM), has noted that it respects the protests in agriculture but remains open to dialogue with the Ministry of Transport and Mobility to resolve sector issues.
closed roads
Significant actions occurred in Valladolid, León, and at the Spain-Portugal border, where farmers blocked traffic on Monday at 9 a.m. on the E-80 and N-620 routes near Vilar Formoso and Fuentes de Oñoro. In Catalonia, farmers started various concentrations from 8 a.m., sometimes with tractors, in multiple locations across the autonomous community. Agricultural organizations called for gatherings in Girona, Vic, Sant Fruitós del Bages, Fondarella (Lleida), Mora d’Ebre, Vila-rodona, and Montblanc in Tarragona, with plans to interrupt major arteries of public life.
In addition, Girona saw gatherings in the Fontajau public area, followed by marches toward the city center and the AP-7 motorway. Road closures were also announced around Tarragona, Alt Urgell, and La Seu d’Urgell (Lleida), near the Andorra border. Some roads in Castilla-La Mancha experienced disruptions from early morning, including a demonstration affecting the A-4 corridor linking Madrid to Córdoba, Madridejos, and Madrid. In Andalusia, traffic jams formed on the A-4 near Écija and in various parts of Granada province. In Málaga, access to the port via San Andrés and Alameda de Colón was blocked by tires.
Agenda of mobilization
Asaja, COAG, and UPA continue to outline plans, with updates provided to Efeagro indicating regional activities beginning next Thursday in Ávila, Salamanca, Ciudad Real, and Huesca; on the 9th in Zamora and Bilbao; the 13th in La Rioja and Zaragoza (FIMA). On February 14 they will concentrate in Toledo, Guadalajara, Jaén, Palencia, and Soria; the 15th in Castellón; the 21st in Murcia; the 22nd in Aragon, and the 23rd in León.
Today, February 6, marks a day when agricultural organizations will meet. The Union of Trade Unions begins to implement its timetable in Burgos, including the capital and towns such as Miranda del Ebro, Briviesca, Medina de Pomar, and Aranda del Duero. On February 7 they plan Santamaría del Páramo (León); February 8 in Ávila; February 14 in Santa María La Real de Nieva (Segovia); February 15 in Boceguillas (Segovia); and February 16 in Venta Pinillas (Segovia). Unión de Uniones has called rallies at three ports of entry for goods: February 7 at Castellón, and February 13 at Tarragona and Santander.
All roads lead toward the large tractor demonstration announced for February 21 in front of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in Madrid. Last Friday, a smaller protest took place at the ministry’s gates during the minister’s meeting with representatives of Asaja, COAG, and UPA.
Another group of protesters, independent farmers, will mobilize spontaneously via social networks. Reports from Efeagro indicate that the day ahead could witness marches in Córdoba, Albacete, Cuenca, Catalonia, Murcia, and the Madrid region.
Guaranteed supply
Minister of Agriculture Luis Planas assured on Monday that the food supply is absolutely guaranteed. He noted that despite protests and sector-wide movements, there will be no disruption to the short- or medium-term supply. In an interview with Catalunya Ràdio, Planas added that farmers taking action in Catalonia tomorrow face a situation that is neither simple nor easily solved. He described food production as undergoing a deliberate transition and suggested the public may not fully grasp the challenges involved.
Planas emphasized that the transition in food production requires patience and understanding from the public as stakeholders work through the difficulties and uncertainties ahead.