Tractor protest in Bulgaria over farm subsidies

Hundreds of Bulgarian farmers have been protesting in the capital Sofia against subsidy cuts in the latest round of austerity measures.

About 3,000 grain producers from across the country calling for the finance and agriculture ministers to resign.

The agriculture ministry had agreed tax exceptions before October elections but now the government is reneging on the deal due to the recession.

Spokesman for the National Association of Grain producers, Dimitar Dimitrov explained:

“ We are protesting not so much for the money, but for more for the lack of morals in our politicians. We also want a development programme for agriculture in Bulgaria.”

The protesters blockaded major roads with almost 200 tractors. While the government is standing firm on its bid to balance the books the farmers feel they’ve been betrayed.

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