As many as 100,000 Spanish farmers have thronged in the capital Madrid in a mass protest against the depressed market for agricultural produce.

Saturday’s rally followed Friday’s strike action that saw farmers down tools to block roads across the country. The three main agricultural unions claim producers have seen a 26 percent drop in real income between 2003 and 2008, while costs rose by 34 per cent. They have had enough, one farmer said: “The government is doing the wrong thing, allowing the intervention of many intermediaries so finally the farmer gets a miniscule part of the amount the consumer pays.” Many producers of grain, dairy. olive oil, citrus fruit, wine and meat have hit the skids and warned that Spain could well end up importing some of the country’s staples.More about: Agriculture, Protest

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