The protests in the rural area of Aragon ended on Monday after hours of mobilization on the roads or, as in the case of Huesca, in the urban center. The most notable were the restrictions caused by tractors in various ways in the three provinces, although no serious incidents were reported.
The agricultural sector returned to the streets a year after the massive protests of February 2024 to highlight their situation, which they described as «worse than before.» They cited new problems such as the Mercosur treaty and the lack of generational relief due to the lack of future in the profession.
In Zaragoza province, the Aragon Agriculture and Animals Association (AEGA) led the mobilizations following a call by the Union of Independent Associations in the Primary Sector (ALEPI).
The tractors, numbering around 150 in the western part of Zaragoza province, circulated through different points in the south and east-west, with the frustrated goal of reaching the capital city.
«After a long blockade on the road, the Civil Guard became more threatening. We tried to advance with tractors, no matter how small, but when we got close to the city, they stopped us,» explained Rubén Blasco, spokesperson for AEGA, to Europe Press.
He acknowledged that there was tension during the protests, as even the Civil Guard noticed the tractor rally. Blasco expressed that if they had been allowed to enter Zaragoza as in 2024, the mobilization might have been more successful.
Following the Monday protests, the AEGA spokesperson emphasized the need for a reaction from agricultural organizations to defend the interests of the sector and called for government dialogue and action to address their concerns.
In Altoaragonese province, the spokesperson for Huesca Agriculture and Animals (Hega), Eduardo Castillo, expressed both joy at the turnout and dissatisfaction with the detachment of politicians from the reality of the sector.
The Hega gathering included 77 tractors and 300 people in Huesca, with a march through the city to raise awareness about ongoing issues in the agricultural industry.
Regarding the impact on traffic, disruptions and slow traffic were reported on several roads in the three provinces, causing congestion and delays during the morning hours. The provinces of Huesca and Teruel also experienced irregular traffic conditions on various routes.
The protests highlighted the challenges faced by the agricultural sector and the need for government action to support rural communities and sustainable farming practices.
FUENTE