Serbian farmers announce protests over subsidy decisions

Nine agricultural associations in Serbia have announced protests following a decision by the National Assembly's agriculture committee. The committee requested that the Ministry of Agriculture eliminate the requirement for justifying the first part of subsidies, amounting to 18,000 dinars.

The protesting groups characterized this move as a ‘marketing trick’ and an ‘insult to the intelligence’ of producers, many of whom had already prepared the necessary documentation. The associations expressed that they are struggling to survive due to a lack of government response regarding market cartels, which they claim are driving down prices for crops like sunflower, and the absence of information regarding the second part of subsidies needed for autumn production.

The signatories, including the Initiative for the Survival of Serbian Farmers, Banatska Crnica, and the Association of Agricultural Producers of Subotica, have called on citizens to join their protests to voice dissatisfaction with high food prices driven by market profits.