STORY: Greek farmers continue protests demanding gov't pledged aid
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 31, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 1, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:02
LOCATION: Athens
CATEGORY: AGRICULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of protest
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Greek): KOSTANTINOS TZELLAS, Unitarian Federation of Agrarian Associations of Karditsa
3. various of farmland

STORYLINE:

Greek farmers are planning protests across the country for Feb. 1, demanding sufficient financial aid pledged by the government with no delays.

Representatives of farmers' associations gathered to discuss mobilization plans at Palamas municipality in the Thessaly region in central Greece, one of the country's main agricultural production regions.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Greek): KOSTANTINOS TZELLAS, Unitarian Federation of Agrarian Associations of Karditsa
"The farmers took to the streets for two reasons. Firstly, because of the destruction and damage we have suffered from the September floods.
And the change has clearly to do with the agricultural sector, where the cost of production is too high."

According to official estimates, the area was hit hard by a storm in September that caused extensive flooding, resulting in 15 fatalities and huge material damage amounting to about one billion euros (roughly 1.08 billion U.S. dollars).

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday announced an increase of up to 10,000 euros in the initial compensation approved by the government for damages caused by natural disasters last year, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.

Acknowledging that farmers have received only 2,000 euros so far, the prime minister reaffirmed the commitment to provide complete compensation for the losses incurred in crops and produce.

In recent weeks, farmers have started blocking highways with tractors. On Wednesday, more such blockades were reported in central and northern Greece.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Athens.
(XHTV)