ANNOUNCED 24-HOUR TOTAL BLOCKADE: Farmers from Mrčajevci radicalize protests!

Farmers will continue to block roads across Serbia today, and those from Mrčajevci – who initiated the protests – have announced a radicalization starting Wednesday and a complete blockade of the old Čačak–Kraljevo road.

Dairy farmers from Mrčajevci began their protest on Wednesday, and other farmers joined them, so that this morning there were around 100 tractors on the streets in that place. They will again block the old Čačak-Kraljevo road today from 12 to 2 p.m., and starting Wednesday they are announcing a radicalization of the protest and a 24-hour road blockade.

Farmer Predrag Veljković told N1 that after five nights spent at the blockade, the farmers have received no response from the Government of Serbia.

“We will probably radicalize the protest on Wednesday, so from that day these locations will be under complete blockade,” Veljković said.

He points out that Agriculture Minister Dragan Glamočić has never wanted to receive their associations for talks, but does meet with pro-government associations with whom he negotiates and reaches agreements.

At the beginning of the protest, dairy farmers poured out their milk, while crop farmers from the village of Zablaće are throwing their cabbage into the Zapadna Morava. Veljković emphasizes that due to uncontrolled imports in recent months, imports were carried out by whoever wanted, which is why farmers are demanding a ban on imports until stockpiles are used up, after which imports would be allowed with quotas and levies.

Farmers from Rača have also begun protests today, deciding to block the largest intersection at the very entrance to the town with their tractors.

Farmer Milan Milošević told N1 that the idea is emerging for farmers to go to Belgrade.

“There has never been greater unity. Livestock breeders and crop farmers were always separated, but now everyone is together. There is support in Vojvodina as well. People are tired of marches, blockades in local communities and harassing their fellow citizens, we are heading to Belgrade,” Milošević said.

The blockade in Rača is a warning protest being held at several locations in Šumadija.

As a sign of support for the dairy farmers and farmers from Mrčajevci, road blockades have been announced for today in Bogatić, Blace, Rača, on the Zavlaka-Krupanj road, Slatina-Čačak, in Smederevska Palanka, and Ivanjica.

The farmers’ demand is for the immediate suspension of all imports of agricultural products and for the state to commit to purchasing existing surpluses into commodity reserves in order to stabilize and regulate the market as soon as possible.

Farmers are also demanding the “immediate” resolution of problems related to milk procurement.