Greek farmers cut out the middleman and start selling direct toconsumers.

Greek farmers cut out the middleman and start selling direct to consumers., a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

In an effort to break the hold of cartels on the Greek food market, groups have been springing up in small towns and cities across the country which are using the internet to sell their produce directly to consumers and so avoid the massive price hikes which mean that agricultural products on supermarket shelves cost anything up to 1000% more than the prices paid out to farmers.

Thessaloniki, Greece.

Top Greek politician tear gassed while giving speech

Giorgos Papandreou - Γιώργος Ανδρέα Παπανδρέου, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Giorgos Papandreaou, leader of Greece’s opposition in parliament was tear gassed during a speech in the Greek port of Pireaus this morning.Papandreau, head of the PASOK party was addressing protesting farmers from Crete when riot police fired tear gas into the crowds following clashes between a small group of protesters and the police.



More than 2000 farmers arrived from the Greek island yesterday along with hundreds of tractors in order to march on parliament in protest against the present conservative government’s agricultural policies. However, authorities refused to allow the march which led to use of clashes and two arrests. Although the blockade of the country’s main highways by farmers has eased off over the last day Greece’s land crossings with neighbouring Bulgaria are still closed to most traffic.

Framers responded to yesterday's scenes of violence between farmers and police near Athens by blockading roads in Crete's main cities and occupying government buildings. In addition another 100 farmers and tractors arrived in Pireaus this morning to support those already present.

In common with many other European countries, Greece has experienced a wave of rioting and often violent demonstrations over the last two months as people unhappy with the government’s handling of major issues took to the streets.

Athens, Riga, Paris, Reykjavik and other capitals have been the scenes of sometimes unprecedented clashes between disgruntled citizens and police.

To see video of the event from tvxs.gr clickr here.

Greek farmers in clashes with riot police

Violent clashes between farmers and riot police followed the Greek authorities to prevent 2000 protesters from Crete from leaving the port city of Pireaus to demonstrate outside the parliament in Athens. Tear gas and pepper spray were used against protesting farmers in the docks.

Like other farmers who have blocked road junctions across the country and still are preventing traffic from entering or leaving Greece's land borders Cretan farmers are seeking government assurances that the island's producers will be included in 500 million Euro agricultural aid package. However, despite negotiations between officials from the ministry of agriculture and farmers representatives no agreement has been reached and protesters have decided not to return to Crete.

Scenes of violent clashes also enraged farmers in Crete itself and many have vowed to sail to Athens to aid their follow farmers. In addition the Greek Union of Merchant Ship Engineers has said that it will strike if riot police units are not wihdrawn from the port according to Greek media sources.

Greek farmer protesting low milk prices

Greek farmer protesting low milk prices, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Greek farmers protested against the low prices paid to them by diary companies by handing out free milk, yoghurt and cheese outside the ministry of Northern Greece, Thessaloniki.

For more details in English check out my Nowpublic article here (για περισσοτερες λεπτομεριες στα Ελληνικα κανε κλικ εδω).