A member of the Association of Milk Producers of Šumadija and Pomoravlje, Predrag Veljković, told the Beta agency this evening that members of the police from Čačak and Kraljevo, as well as the Security-Information Agency (BIA), are threatening participants in the blockade of the Ibarska magistrala in the village of Mrčajevci near Čačak and are demanding that they remove tractors from the highway.
He added that they were threatened that, if they fail to do so, they will receive misdemeanor fines.
Veljković added that in addition to the farmers who own the tractors used to block the Ibarska magistrala, the police and the BIA are also summoning farmers who are at the blockade without tractors.
“Instead of resolving our demands they are sending the police and the BIA. They are once again using tried and tested measures of intimidation and repression, but we are not afraid and we are continuing the blockade,” Veljković told Beta News Agency.
He said that vegetable growers from the vicinity of Ivanjica and Dragačevo also supported them this evening by visiting them at the blockade.
“They tell us that they have never had such a quantity of unsold potatoes as this year and that it is measured in railcars. They are also announcing a protest due to the situation in vegetable production,” Veljković said.
Today, the farmers blocking the Ibarska magistrala were also supported by Bishop Justin of Žiča, who, while passing through Mrčajevci, got out of his car, spoke with them and blessed them.
The blockade of the Ibarska magistrala in Mrčajevci near Čačak, organized by the Čačak agricultural association “Šajkača” and the Kraljevo Association of Milk Producers of Šumadija and Pomoravlje, began on Wednesday at 1 p.m. and has been ongoing continuously since then, without incidents.
Dairy farmers and agricultural producers are demanding that the state introduce levies – protective duties and quotas on the import of milk and meat – and thus protect domestic production.
They are also demanding the introduction of anti-dumping measures for products that threaten domestic agricultural production, the return of milk and meat prices to the level before the reduction, as well as a guaranteed purchase of milk for every producer.
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Source: Nedeljnik, Foto: Youtube/Ozzon pres