Madrid - Thousands of farmers from across Spain took to the streets of Madrid on Thursday to demand government help to combat the soaring price of fuel and fertilisers.
Protestors from the Young Farmers Association (Asaja) handed out 13 tonnes of farm produce and threw tomatoes at the offices of the economy ministry. Some also carried coffins.
"Zapatero you are killing us" and "Save the countryside" were among the slogans the demonstrators shouted.
The farmers are seeking lower petrol taxes and a reduction in the price of fertilisers, which has doubled this year.
"We are demonstrating peacefully today," said one of the protesters, Pedro Barato, but he warned that the farmers could use stronger tactics, such as blocking roads, if the government failed to accept their demands.
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The protests by farmers over fuel prices follow those of fishermen, some of whom are maintaining an indefinite strike launched on May 30, and of truckers, who paralysed roads throughout the country for three days last week.
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