Italian farmers protest government policies with tractor convoy
Demonstrations aim to highlight growing financial strain on farmers, demand action from government
Italian farmers gather with their tractors to protest against agricultural policies and to demand the state of crisis for the sector near the A7 highway in Binasco, Milan, Italy on January 28, 2025.
ROME
Farmers across Italy have taken to the streets with their tractors in a large-scale protest against the government’s agricultural policies on Tuesday.
The demonstrations, which span cities from the north to the south of the country, aim to highlight the growing financial strain on farmers and demand action from the government.
According to national media reports, farmers have formed convoys and set up camps at various locations, voicing frustration over rising production and supply chain costs.
They argue that despite promises made last year, the government has failed to take necessary measures to support the agricultural sector.
In Binasco, 20 kilometers (over 12 miles) south of Milan, around 20 tractors adorned with Italian flags rolled through the streets, blaring horns and sirens before farmers established a protest camp.
At the site, demonstrators held up a banner declaring: "A country without farmers, breeders, and fishermen is not free and has no future."
Speaking to Anadolu, farmer Marco Facchini highlighted the economic struggles facing those in the agricultural sector, saying: "We are here because the situation in the agricultural sector does not reflect the picture that everything is fine, as it is often portrayed. Within the price-value chain, farmers are the most disadvantaged group."
Facchini called on the right-wing coalition government to implement five key measures, including a moratorium for struggling businesses and the recognition of fair pricing for producers.
He also criticized ISMEA, the Institute of Services for the Agricultural and Food Market, for its pricing policies, stating that farmers would present official documents to the government to demand reforms.
Beyond Milan, the protests have extended to cities such as Cuneo, Brescia, Pisa, Casertano, and Foggia, with farmers expected to continue their demonstrations in the coming days.
This latest wave of protests follows similar weeks-long demonstrations in early 2024, when farmers rallied against the EU agricultural policies, subsidy cuts, and rising production costs.
