Farm protests
In a move expected to mollify Greek tobacco growers fearing slashes and gradual abolition of EU subsidies, the European Commission yesterday urged the council of agriculture ministers to maintain full subsidies to tobacco growers for the next three years. Meanwhile, restive Greek cotton farmers – who are up in arms at the prospect of low crop prices this year – are expected to postpone planned protests today as union leaders voiced satisfaction with government proposals on the matter yesterday after meeting deputy agriculture minister Evangelos Argyris.