Agriculture Minister Tihomir Jakovina on Thursday said that the government had already paid the major part of subsidies for 2012 and that the protest by farmers outside the government building was unfounded, adding that he would not receive a delegation of the protestors as the ministry had already explained the situation on several occasions.
Almost HRK 2.2 billion was paid out in subsidies by 15 May of the HRK 2.46 allocated which until now has never been paid out in Croatia, Jakovina said.
In addition, a new Farmland Act has been adopted which goes in favour of farmers and the rural development programme will make EUR 333 million available to farmers each year, he said.
Jakovina said that farmers had the legitimate right to express their dissatisfaction, however, they need to back this up with arguments.
He said that farmers in general were satisfied and that the latest protests were being staged by a small group of disgruntled farmers.
He recalled that the ministry had facilitated that farmers who had debts could reschedule them.
He added that the ministry had settled all subsidies from previous years and that by 30 June subsidies would be paid to the last kuna.
Around 300 farmers gathered on St. Mark's Square on Thursday morning in front of the government building demanding that subsidies be paid out, that problems in this sector be resolved, and that they be received by the prime minister and finance minister to tell them their problems.
