Farmers call off a planned blockade outside Prague

Farmers in the Czech Republic have called off a planned nationwide blockade of roads after reaching an agreement with the Prime Minister over financial subsidies to the industry. The breakthrough came after a meeting on Saturday between representatives of the Agrarian Chamber and the government. During the meeting, Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek offered that the government would make up for a planned four billion crown shortfall in the Agriculture Ministry’s budget. The original protest action was called after the Agrarian Chamber sought an additional 2.8 billion crowns in direct payments, something which the government initially refused. The Agrarian Chamber argued that these subsidies, which are at 90% of levels in surrounding countries, were essential to the survival of farming in the Czech Republic. Monday’s planned protest, would have seen farming vehicles coming to a halt on roads (though not motorways) across the country.