Tractors cut Greece in two

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truckers-Strike

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Thousands of angry farmers have used tractors to blockade major road junctions across the Greece, effectively dividing up the country. Angry over prices and subsidies,  farmers have blocked road, rail and airports. In addition border crossing with neighbouring Bulgaria has also been closed leading to tense scenes between truck drivers and farmers.

In response to demands by farmers' organisations the ruling conservative New Democracy party today promised a 500 million Euro aid package for producers designed to help wheat, cotton, tobaccco and other farmers. Despite these moves the blockade is planned to continue until farmer's union vote on the issue on Monday.

Farmers and consumer organisations are also angry over the massive mark up on basic products which means that that prices on the Greek supermarket shelves are anything between 200 and 900% greater than that paid to producers.