Spanish farmers are planning a broad wave of protests across multiple provinces this week, demanding changes to environmental regulations, greater flexibility in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and measures to ease drought relief, among other requests.
Across Europe, demonstrations are expanding. In recent days independent farmer groups in France, Portugal, and Italy mobilized their tractors onto rural roads, with notable activity intensifying in Extremadura and Castilla y León in Spain. The push is backed by agricultural associations Asaja, COAG, and UPA and is amplified via social media from independent organizers.
Farmers may also be joined by professionals from the fishing and aquaculture sectors, along with various unions and some transport organizations who are considering participation in the coming days.
Protests already occurred on Monday in Valladolid and León, and at the Spain–United States border. Authorities reported blockades on the E-80 and N-620 routes that connect Spain with Portugal at the Vilar Formoso and Fuentes de Oñoro crossings, beginning at 8:00 a.m. in Portugal and 9:00 a.m. in Spain.
Asaja, COAG, and UPA’s agenda
The agricultural associations Asaja, COAG, and UPA are outlining plans, with information circulating about campaigns starting in Ávila, Salamanca, Ciudad Real, and Huesca, followed by Zamora and Bilbao, then La Rioja and Zaragoza for the FIMA event. In mid-February they will focus activities in Toledo, Guadalajara, Jaén, Palencia, and Soria; mid-month in Castellón; and later in Murcia, Aragon, and León, as part of a broader protest timetable.
The outlined schedule shows a steady cadence of regional demonstrations designed to press for policy changes and to draw attention to farmer concerns across different autonomous communities.
Union of Trade Unions stepping forward
Starting tomorrow, February 6, the agricultural unions plan to push ahead with their agenda, concentrating in Burgos city and nearby towns including Miranda del Ebro, Briviesca, Medina de Pomar, and Aranda del Duero. Additional gatherings are planned for February 7 in 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 also called for demonstrations at three entry ports for goods: February 7 at Castellón and February 13 at Tarragona and Santander. All of these actions are set to culminate with a major tractor campaign slated for February 21 in front of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food in Madrid.
Last Friday, the organization organized a smaller protest at the gates of the Ministry during the minister’s meeting with representatives from Asaja, COAG, and UPA.
Growing use of social networks
Organizers emphasize that the farmer agenda is increasingly shaped through social networks, and some tractor rallies have appeared in various regions without prior notice. Reports from Efeagro indicate that marches are expected to occur tomorrow in Córdoba, Albacete, Cuenca, Catalonia, Murcia, and the Madrid region, with organizers adjusting calendars and venues to expand to other provinces and territories.
Planas on supply security
Minister of Agriculture Luis Planas assured on Monday that the food supply is absolutely guaranteed. He said that despite ongoing protests and sectorial tensions, the country will maintain steady supply in the near and medium term. In an interview with Catalunya Ràdio, Planas noted that the farmers taking action in Catalonia face a situation that is neither simple nor easily solved. He described food production as undergoing a quiet transition and suggested the public may not fully grasp the challenges involved.