Newsflash from Thursday, 27 November 2025:
Farmers and livestock breeders in Crete are preparing to resume their protests tomorrow, Friday, November 28, signaling a new wave of mobilizations across the island. The demonstrations will kick off at 11:00 AM with a gathering of agricultural vehicles at the Mournia junction in Chania.
The protests come as part of a broader struggle by the agricultural community to address critical issues threatening their livelihoods. Key demands include the immediate payment of all outstanding subsidies, the release of the basic agricultural support that has been delayed, and the establishment of guaranteed minimum prices that cover production costs while ensuring a sustainable income.
Farmers are also calling for a reduction in production costs and the reinstatement of untaxed fuel at the pump. Another major point of contention is the revision of the ELGA (Greek Agricultural Insurance Organization) regulations to guarantee full compensation for all natural disasters and diseases affecting crops and livestock.
Livestock breeders have highlighted two particularly urgent concerns: the management of sheeppox outbreaks and the so-called “OPEKEPE scandal,” involving the alleged misallocation of EU agricultural funds. They demand the return of these funds to the rightful beneficiaries and refuse to pay any fines linked to the issue, calling for political and legal accountability.
The protests reflect deep frustration within Crete’s farming communities, who are also worried about the ongoing depopulation of rural villages and the declining interest of younger generations in agriculture.
As these demonstrations unfold, farmers across Crete are united in their call for urgent government action to secure the future of the island’s vital agricultural sector.
Source: Daynight
