Around 10,000 farmers from over 40 European organizations flood Brussels on Thursday, protesting EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) cuts and unfair trade deals like Mercosur.
Cyprus farmers protest update shows simultaneous peaks, with tractors marching in Nicosia and planned action in Paphos. Nicosia rally draws mainly farmers from Larnaca, free Famagusta, and Nicosia. Tractors assemble at GSP stadium, pass the Presidential Palace, and conclude at the House of Europe.
Larnaca and free Famagusta farmers began tractor gatherings yesterday ahead of the December 18 protest.
Subsidy delays fuel local anger
Cyprus grain farmers protest the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organisation (CAPO) withholding hectare subsidies for those on state or Turkish Cypriot land without usage permits or lease contracts, as required by Cabinet decisions.
Ministers of Interior and Agriculture, alongside the Agricultural Payments Commissioner, tackle legal ownership issues politically, ensuring EU funds stay compliant.
Pancyprian Grain Producers Organisation president Kyriakos Kailas warns of “black Christmas and New Year” from liquidity shortages for seeds and fertilizers. They demand law changes for Turkish Cypriot properties to enable sub-leasing from elderly to young farmers, plus swift reviews of state land applications dating to 2002.
Copa-Cogeca urges presidential backing
Copa and Cogeca presidents Massimiliano Giansanti and Lennart Nilsson sent Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides a letter on December 9 titled “10,000 Farmers in Brussels on December 18 – Europe Needs Bold, Clear, Tangible Solutions.”
It flags pressures like soaring fertilizer prices, shortages, complex rules, and EU trade deals harming competitiveness, such as Mercosur and Ukraine imports.
They seek his support for a robust post-2027 CAP with two pillars and inflation-adjusted budget; fair trade protecting EU standards by halting Mercosur; simplification including delayed fertilizer CBAM and faster pesticide approvals.
Grain producers mobilize massively
The Pancyprian Grain Producers Organisation calls for tractor marches and turnout at the House of Europe protest. Reports and CAP talks point to direct aid cuts, threatening survival in tough Cyprus conditions without intervention.
Chronic lease delays for state/forest plots and Turkish Cypriot sublets block last year’s CAPO payments, crippling farms.
Key tractor assembly points
- Larnaca District: Menogeia Stadium, “Pannorio” Hall overpass (Dromolaxia), Panagia ton Ambelion overpass (Aradippou), opposite “Stavmani” Hall (Athienou).
- Famagusta District: Liopetri overpass.
- Nicosia District: Kokkinotrimithia near Papafiliipou.
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