In the same general direction in terms of solving the problems of the primary production sector, the forces of the Regional Council moved during the discussion on agricultural issues on Tuesday afternoon, even if this seems a little impressive, since the starting points of those who they raised the issue with the Regional Council, versus the Regional Authority which is obviously closer to the government, they are significantly different.
The issue of farmers’ problems amid major mobilizations that are escalating in the coming days, came up for the second time in a few days at the Regional Council. This time without the presence of the farmers, i.e. the interested parties themselves, but with a discreet presence of the security forces around and inside the Epirus Region building.
It was the discussion promised by the Kahrimani Regional Authority during the protest performance held by the producers in the regional council about two weeks ago.
And the discussion was generally consensual because the Regional Governor of Epirus in his initial statement recognized many of the existing problems in the agricultural sector that put both European and Greek producers on the road and at roadblocks.
The initial placement
Giorgos Prentzas for “Laiki Sispirosis”, the faction that requested the debate on agriculture, outlined the well-known demands of the producers:
– Minimum guaranteed prices on their products,
– Change in the regulation of the ELGA which currently does not compensate for significant disasters due to the climate crisis, powdery mildew, etc.,
– Green transition that the European Parliament itself voted for, causing obligations that did not exist in the past for farmers,
– Dealing with the increase in energy costs to unprecedented levels
Mr. Prentzas described the announcements of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis as “aspirin” measures and accused the CAP as the “poison” that will destroy the farmers, stressing that the CAP is for the first time, at least in Greece, at the center of producers’ criticism. Shocks that come out of nowhere apparently…
In the same line and quite specifically, Theodoros Koronaios from the faction “Kionos ton Epirotes” stated that the primary sector for Epirus amounts to 9.7% of the GDP and the leverage factor is large, which means that for a region like Epirus, the problems of agricultural production have multiple effects on the local economy as a whole.
Exploding production costs, a partly imported problem, green deal, climate crisis, new CAP, smaller quantities produced and more expensive inputs, make up the range of farmers’ problems.
In the proposals of Mr. Koronaios, the downy mildew should be included in the support program in order to provide for compensation from ELGA, the Management plans for grazing must be completed and he asked, finally, that all tools should be used by the Region and that Epirus should focus on specific products . There was no shortage of criticism for a procedural and visionless way of managing problems by the people of the Epirus Region.
Haris Liouris from the “Epiros Olon” faction criticized the government. For five consecutive years of government, he said, the ND government downplayed the problems of farmers.
Kahrimani proposals
Kahrimani’s initial statement, which was as usual lately, from a prepared text, moved in low tones with an admission of most of the problems mentioned by the speakers. Mr. Kahrimanis admitted the accuracy, he acknowledged that the mistakes of OPEKEPE resulted in limited aid for livestock farmers a month ago, he agreed that the problems from the “greening” of the new CAP are acute, but on the other hand he saw some light… in the announcements of K. Mitsotakis, a few days ago. He welcomed the settlement of the debts of the Water Improvement Organizations to PPC, the return of the EFC, etc.
At the same time, he blessed the beards of the Region of Epirus for the energy autonomy projects of the TOEBs that he has launched.
He mentioned for the umpteenth time the controls on the milk market and the tracing of agricultural products.
In conclusion, Mr. Kahrimanis argued that the government’s measures for the return of the EFFK and the reduction of electricity by 10% for producers must be accompanied by:
– Further improvement of the CAP
– Dealing with OPEKEPE’s mistakes and speeding up subsidy payments
– Strict controls on the producer-consumer price difference
– Cracking down on Greekizations.