Farmers in Spain honk horns and wave Spanish flags as they join protest

Farmers in Spain are protesting with other farmers in Europe all over the country.

Similar to other farmers, they want the European Union to be more flexible, have stricter rules for products from non-EU countries, and receive more support from their government.

In many areas, they blocked roads and caused big problems for drivers.

There will be a big protest in the middle of Madrid later this month.

On Tuesday, farmers in Spain’s northern countryside drove tractors in groups, honked horns, waved Spanish flags, and held signs.

They also marched in the northeast part of Catalonia, the southern area of Andalusia, and Extremadura in the west.

Farmers in Spain are unhappy about the same things as farmers in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and other countries that have been protesting.

They say that the rules of the EU’s farming policy and the high prices of fuel and energy make it hard for them to make money.

Esteban, a farmer who grows wheat and barley, said that it costs a lot of money to produce these crops. He was protesting in Aranda de Duero. “You have to spend money on fertiliser, pesticides, and fuel – it’s really hurting us. ” We have to spend a lot of money to buy things, but we sell them for a lower price.

French farmers are angry at Spanish producers for not following European Union rules and selling their products at a lower price, which is causing them to lose money. Ségolène Royal made some people mad by saying Spanish organic tomatoes are not really organic. Because Spanish farmers and food industry were very angry, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez asked Ms Royal to taste a Spanish tomato.

However, Spain’s farmers also complain about countries outside the EU, like Morocco, because they can sell their products for less money since they don’t have to follow the same rules about the environment and health.

Estrella Perez, a farmer who raises animals and grows cereal, said that we have to follow many rules and regulations for cleanliness that products from non-EU countries don’t have to follow.

“We want farming to have a good future, but we don’t see it happening right now. ”

The situation for Spanish farmers has gotten worse because of drought. In many parts of the country, there hasn’t been enough rain lately, and this is making it hard for farmers to grow their crops. Spain makes the most olive oil in the world, but prices are higher because there is not enough being made. Last week, Catalonia said there is a big problem with not enough water because it hasn’t rained much for three years. This is the longest time with little rain ever.

In other places, Italian farmers have been coming together for a week from the north to the south. They are also protesting against rules from the EU and too much paperwork. They are going to meet up in Rome at the end of this week.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni supports them and says that the EU’s Green Deal will affect farmers’ lives more than others. But farmers are also worried about the government’s plan to stop giving tax breaks to the farming industry.

On Tuesday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she wants to cancel a plan to reduce the use of pesticides because it has caused a lot of disagreement.

The Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, is happy about the announcement. He thinks it’s important for our farmers to be part of making farming more sustainable. This is part of our commitment to make the Green Deal happen.