Tractors converge on Rome as farmers protest across Europe

Anger at restrictive regulations sees traffic disrupted, blockades in cities

ROME - A convoy of tractors was poised on Feb 3 to descend on Rome as farmers' protests caused disruptions across Europe, though they wound down in France following government concessions.

Farmers have expressed anger at what they say are excessively restrictive regulations on agriculture and unfair competition, among other grievances.

The movement erupted in France in January, and there have also been protests in Germany, Belgium, Poland, Romania, Greece and the Netherlands.

Farmers have blocked motorways and disrupted traffic in key cities with convoys of tractors.

In Italy on Feb 3, around 150 tractors massed in Orte. Protesters there called for better pay and conditions and announced their imminent arrival in the Italian capital, an AFP reporter saw.

"Italian agriculture has woken up," said protester Felice Antonio Monfeli.

"It's historic and the people here are proving it. For the first time in their history, farmers are united under the same flag, that of Italy." The demonstrators have for days been calling for talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, without having had a response so far.

"The situation is critical, we cannot be slaves in our own companies," said protester Domenico Chiergi.