Polish farmers block roads

26 January 1999

Polish farmers block roads

POLISH farmers blocked around 90 roads and three frontier crossings in protests. They are aiming to force their government to implement higher tariffs on food and cheaper credits.

Police used water cannon in several places.

Farm prices have been falling for a year after the collapse of food exports to the former Soviet Union and lower domestic demand for food products.

Last month the price of pigs was 35% down on December while wheat was 14% and rye 20% down.

• Financial Times 26/01/99 page 2 (News Digest)