This Saturday at noon, farmers in the Ponent area lifted the cut on the A-2 in Tàrrega, which had been blocked for five days. The A-2 was the last cut left on Catalan roads after a new week of mobilizations in the sector and Wednesday’s agreement with Acció Climàtica.
The farmers of Tàrrega, however, distanced themselves from the Pagesa Platform, since they considered that the pact did not include some of their demands, especially with regard to the proliferation of rabbits. Although they have already removed the tractors and left, the highway will still take a few hours to recover traffic, since the pavement affected by the bonfires that the farmers have lit in recent days must be fixed. Those mobilized have warned before leaving that if negotiations do not advance, they may resume protests at Easter.
Around ten in the morning this Saturday the farmers got to work to lift the cut on the A-2 as it passes through Tàrrega. While one group has collected trash and rubbish, such as cans and plastic cups, others kept tables and chairs in their trailers. It was not until 12 noon, the time agreed upon with the Mossos d’Esquadra, that the farmers got on their tractors and left the mobilization point that has been active since Tuesday.
The farmers extended the protest in Urgell after verifying that this Wednesday’s pact between the sector and the Climate Action department does not include requests “necessary to work”, according to Llorenç Farré, a farmer from Belianes. Joan Piera, from Preixana, has expressed himself along the same lines, warning that “if the negotiations do not go well”, the sector will organize new actions at Easter.
Although there is no longer any trace of tractors on the A-2 highway as it passes through Tàrrega, it will still take a few hours for the road to be operational in traffic. Since mid-morning, workers have been working to guarantee traffic safety. The workers must resurface the road surface that has been affected by the different bonfires that the farmers have lit to keep warm and have taken down posters and road signs affected by the high temperature and smoke.
