Baltic farmers to light 400 bonfires in protest against unfair EU payments
Baku, January 31 (AZERTAC). Baltic farmers will light a total of 400 bonfires along the “Via Baltica” highway on February 5, 2013, in a symbolic “Baltic Way” chain acknowledging the Baltic countries` unity in demanding fair direct payments to farmers.
There will also be a bonfire lit at the Dome Square in Riga, as well as in Salacgriva, Saulkrasti, Kekava, Iecava, Bauska and at the Latvian-Estonian and Latvian-Lithuanian border crossings.
“Taking into account that the Baltic countries' development relies on fair agricultural policy and cohesion funds, we are inviting other organizations and every resident of Lavia to join the campaign,” said Farmers` Saeima deputy head Maira Dzelzkaleja.
Latvian Employers` Confederation has expressed support for the campaign, urging its partner organizations in Estonia and Lithuania to also join the campaign, demonstrating the Baltic nations` unity.
“The EU budget must provide investments into consolidating countries` competitiveness and increasing employment. This can be done by achieving solidarity between the richer and poorer member states, and proportionate distribution of funding. That is why it is a priority for the Baltic countries that the cohesion policy funding remains at least at the current level, and that equal competition conditions be achieved for all market players,” said Employers Confederation`s Director Liga Mengelsone.
As reported, in another campaign last November, a “Belarus'” traveled from Tallinn to Brussels, stopping in various cities in Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany, and eventually joining a Baltic farmers` protest in Brussels on November 22.
Latvia wants Brussels to introduce fair direct payments to farmers, stipulating that the lowest payments must constitute at least 80% of the average amount of the EU direct payments already in 2014. At the moment, Latvian farmers receive the smallest direct payments in the EU, LVL 63 per hectare or less, while the average figure in Europe is EUR 266 or LVL 186 per hectare.
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