Hundreds of farmers and ranchers from different parts of Spain arrived in Madrid this morning aboard their tractors, demonstrating the strength of the primary sector. Their clear objective is to express strong opposition to the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, which currently hangs over Spanish agriculture. Producers warn that this agreement could lead to unfair competition by allowing the massive influx of products from third countries that do not meet the same environmental, labor, and health standards required in Europe, jeopardizing the viability of thousands of farms.

However, the protest extends beyond opposition to the trade agreement. Organizers are denouncing the critical situation faced by the rural world, trapped between rising production costs - including fertilizers, energy, fuel, and animal feed - and the prices they receive, which do not guarantee a sustainable livelihood. By bringing their tractors to the capital, they aim to raise awareness of the challenges they face and demand governmental support for the agricultural sector, which is essential for food production and rural communities.

The farmers' discontent signals a broader discontent with current agricultural policies, particularly in light of recent cuts to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that are perceived as detrimental to Spain's agricultural viability. Their protest in Madrid underscores the urgent need for dialogues and measures to ensure the survival of the agricultural sector amid the pressures of globalization and the environmental challenges that communities face in Spain.