Just over a hundred farmers gathered this Thursday at midday at the Mercadal fairgrounds to reject the cuts the European Union wants to apply to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), to say enough is enough to "empty promises" and excessive bureaucracy from the administrations, and above all, to demand recognition of their unique island needs. The manifesto, read by the presidents of Agrame, Luis Nadal; Fagme, Catalina Pons; and Unió de Pagesos, Margalida Llambias, calls for "justice" in the form of fair prices that provide greater profitability for farms, decisive support for local production and the Menorcan agri-food industry, and agricultural policies that guarantee generational renewal and a future for the sector. "Without farmers there is no countryside, and without countryside there is no Menorca," they chanted in unison, to the applause of the attendees and the dozen or so tractors that had traveled to the center of the island. Unlike previous protests and tractor demonstrations that years ago brought the main road to a standstill, this time the agricultural organizations and cooperatives of Menorca opted for a "responsible" demonstration, without blocking the island's activity, but making their voices heard. "Responsible" protest

"We are here to defend our right to live off the land, to produce quality food, and to continue caring for the territory, the landscape, and food sovereignty," they announced. But they also complained about the "critical situation" they face, where "the lack of profitability of farms, the constant increase in production costs, bureaucratic and regulatory pressure, and unfair competition from international trade agreements are suffocating the countryside."

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