EU farmers protest at feared cuts in subsidies

The EU budget negotiations are making farmers across the union nervous, amid speculation that reform of the Common Agricultural Policy will lead to substantial cuts in subsidies.

In Spain thousands of farmers protested in several cities. Agricultural organisations estimate that the CAP budget over the next seven years could reduce the nation’s funding by over 15 per cent.

In cities such as Valencia and Zaragoza demonstrators gave away hundreds of kilos of fruit to consumers.

Mariano Rajoy’s government has so far rejected the European proposals but even a compromise could lead to cuts.

Irish farmers also protested on Thursday, with fifty occupying the European Commission offices in Dublin.