Farmers across Spain communicated their messages through WhatsApp groups, direct conversations, and the initial mobilization call from the independent agricultural union Unión de Uniones. They marched in several regions, demanding more flexibility in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), both with and without tractors, along with compensation for drought losses and stronger support from central authorities. They acted without waiting for the official kick-off from the country’s three main farming bodies—Asaja, COAG, and UPA—the recognized interlocutors with the Government. Although the formal protest schedule began on Thursday, February 8, in Ávila, Salamanca, and Ciudad Real, hundreds of agricultural workers blocked Málaga port, halted roads in Castilla y León, and rolled into Zaragoza, Castellón, and Huesca with their tractors. On Tuesday, protests spread to many provinces and cities. Dozens of transport routes, including major highways, faced blockades, and some logistics hubs such as Malaga, Mercazaragoza, and the Mercamadrid port were affected.
What do farmers want? These are the keys to the street-level conflict
As events unfolded, the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) tracked the outages across Spain’s road network, with notable disruptions on strategic stretches of the A-1, A-2, A-4, A-5, A-6, A-92, A-42, A-66, A-50, A-62, and A-30, among others. Protesters succeeded in blocking access to the ports of Málaga and Mercazaragoza, while a group from Ávila attempted to target Mercamadrid but were halted by a police cordon.
In the early hours, there were no large-scale clashes; arrests of some demonstrators did occur. The Transport Sector Defense Platform expressed solidarity by announcing a strike set for the coming Saturday, alongside the planned closure of farms and cooperatives in various regions this Tuesday. Lola Guzmán, a spokesperson for the newly formed Platform 6F, told Efe that farmers’ response had been extraordinary and called for direct talks with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas.
Independent demonstrations quickly surpassed the reach of Asaja, highlighting the bargaining dynamics among COAG and UPA. Unión de Uniones, noted for orchestrating Madrid’s truck blockade earlier in 2023, unveiled its own mobilization calendar on Tuesday, February 6, focusing on Castilla y León, particularly Burgos, Miranda de Ebro, Briviesca, Medina de Pomar, and Aranda del Duero. Beyond official channels, spontaneous WhatsApp groups continued to rally farmers nationwide.
Agricultural employers’ associations argue that protests have not spiraled out of control and contend that all mobilizations are necessary to safeguard farming and livestock livelihoods. They point to a recent European Commission move to withdraw legislation aimed at halving pesticide use as a sign that grassroots pressure can influence policy in Brussels. Regarding the protest timetable, COAG notes that additional demonstrations may be added and that in many cases, organizers require two weeks’ notice to secure permission, especially for slow marches planned for February 12 in Madrid with around 200 tractors and other mobilizations across Asturias and beyond. A regional effort to align Asaja and UPA’s positions fell short of achieving a unified plan.
Unión de Uniones presents an alternative view. “They lost not only control but also prestige,” stated Secretary General Luis Cortés. The organization felt sidelined after presenting its demands to the agriculture ministry during a meeting last Friday with Minister Planas, even as Asaja, COAG, and UPA headquarters were close by. The movement’s organizers argued that the main agricultural groups failed to properly represent the sector before the Government, prompting farmers to turn to social networks for street demonstration momentum.
Daily mobilizations through social networks were anticipated. Official guidance urged farmers to begin protests at 8 p.m., with staged actions planned across Ávila, Salamanca, and Ciudad Real, and spreading to other provinces starting February 27 in Córdoba. Unión de Uniones promoted a separate call in Venta de Pinillas, Segovia, and other parts of Castilla y León between February 6 and 16.
Tractors across Spain
There was no shortage of farmers on the roads last week. Some demonstrations surfaced in Valladolid and Zamora, and traffic snarls emerged in Valencia, Logroño, Zamora, Benavente, and Valladolid in the early hours. In Aragon, hundreds of tractors created significant jams, reaching Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel, while farmers secured the entrances to the port of Málaga and areas around Mercamálaga and the CTM site for goods transport.
In Murcia, a truck blocking the regional Government delegation’s route disrupted highway and secondary road traffic. Municipal authorities coordinated crisis measures as municipal services continued. In Catalonia, hundreds of tractors gathered in Fondarella, flooding streets in Lleida and other southern districts. Lleida saw more than 1,500 agricultural vehicles that agreed to camp on the road, with plans to move toward Barcelona to converge with activities near the Acció Climàtica department the following morning.
Amid the sustained pressure, the Government released a list of 139,000 farmers eligible for drought relief totaling ₹269 million, with aid for rain-fed rice and tomato producers ranging from 20 to 407 euros per hectare. A government spokesperson emphasized the administration’s ongoing commitment to the primary sector, reiterating support and protection for farmers.
Political reactions
Throughout the day, political voices weighed in. The government’s spokeswoman reaffirmed the administration’s pledge to stand with farmers, promising protection, solidarity, and ongoing support. The agriculture minister underscored continued dialogue with agricultural groups, stating that negotiations represent the only viable path forward. He urged collaboration among the European Commission, the Spanish Government, and the autonomous communities, eleven of which were led by conservative parties at the time. The interior minister noted that security forces are tasked with ensuring farmers can protest lawfully while safeguarding citizens’ access to essential services.
Madrid’s regional leadership and other regional authorities also commented. Isabel Díaz Ayuso criticized the national government for perceived neglect of the agricultural sector, while María Chivite argued that free demonstration must be secured for a portion of Navarra’s farmers, even if her administration’s stance diverged on certain points.
With protests stretching across Spain and into broader Europe, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the withdrawal of a proposed law on the sustainable use of phytosanitary products amid the unrest.