Romanian farmers, hauliers, block Ukraine border access

STORY: Farmers and hauliers started protesting eight days ago by blocking highways and slowing traffic with convoys of tractors and trucks decked in Romanian flags. The protests are against the high cost of diesel, insurance rates, EU measures to protect the environment, and pressures on the domestic market from imported Ukrainian agricultural goods.

Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu and 10 farmers' associations on Monday (January 15) said they had reached an agreement on a number of demands, setting clear deadlines for meeting them, but the protests have continued. Hauliers were still in negotiations with the transport and finance ministries.

The protesters want a moratorium on loan repayments, faster subsidy payments, and separate lines at border crossings and the Black Sea port of Constanta for EU lorries and trucks from outside the bloc, including Ukraine.