Farmers in Greece protest fuel costs amid Ukraine crisis
STORY: Blocking traffic in the streets of the capital with their tractors and waving black flags, the farmers held banners reading, "reduce production costs."
The farmers, who staged weeks of protests over high energy prices earlier this year, say costs are so high they will be forced to produce less, which will drive up prices for consumers.
The government has so far spent about 3.7 billion euros ($4.08 billion) since September to alleviate the pain from soaring energy and fuel costs for farmers, households and businesses.
It cut a sales tax on fertilisers by 46% to 13% and on Thursday, announced it would be lowered to 6%. It also announced a tax rebate on fuel for agricultural vehicles and further subsidies for power bills.
Farmers say the measures do not go far enough and everything has become too expensive, from fuel to animal feed.
"The situation has become unbearable," said another farmer, Diamanto Kritikou.
"We can't work our fields, we can't cultivate, we can't put gas in our vehicles, and (we can't buy) seeds, fertilizers... there will be a problem with food supply in the country," she said.
