Spanish farmers demand better prices, protest against imports

Spanish farmers drove their tractors towards Madrid demanding higher prices for their produce, more government support and protection from unfair imports on Wednesday.

Some 500 tractors were already heading to the capital on Tuesday but police halted them before they could reach the city centre, local media reported.

Nonetheless, dozens of tractors reached the central Puerta de Alcalá square and disrupted traffic in the rally organized by the farmers' association Unión de Uniones.

There were also protests in Málaga, Murcia and Zaragoza on Wednesday.

Spanish farmers are demanding fair prices and a stronger position in the production process.

They also want the tax reduction on agricultural diesel to be upheld, stricter controls on imports from non-EU countries and a reduction in environmental regulations and bureaucracy in order to receive EU agricultural aid.

It was the 16th day of the farmers' protests in Spain despite concessions made by the left-wing government.

The government presented a package of 18 measures, including closer supervision of the food supply chain and a restriction on imports from external markets last week.

Some farmers welcomed the measures as progress but others called them insufficient.

Unión de Uniones is one of many farmers' associations that have been protesting throughout Spain since February 6.

Police have arrested 48 people in relation to the protests.