Around 300 French and Spanish farmers blocked the Biriatou border toll in the Basque Country with their tractors on Thursday, issuing an “ultimatum” to the European Union (EU) for “totally tax-free production energy”.
Gathered since midday at the border on both sides of the border, after snail-like operations, the farmers delivered their common demand, without brandishing union banners.
They are giving the EU until June 1 to achieve a zero tax on gas, electricity, diesel and even GNR (non-road diesel). They have two months to find a solution, we will go back to work on our farms but we will be there if necessary at the beginning of June, says Thierry, a non-unionized cattle breeder in the Basque Country.
A zero tax on gas, electricity, diesel and even GNR
The tractors, on which slogans were displayed such as More income or Farmer, child we dream, adult we die, remained parked on the highway for several hours, leaving one lane of traffic open, before a planned return to snail operation. at the end of the afternoon.
This is the first time we have mobilized together and probably not the last, said Joseba Pagadizabal, a Spanish farmer.
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