Greek Tobacco Farmers Protest

Source from:  Thursday April 17, ATHENS, Greece (AP) 04/18/2008

Thousands of Greek tobacco farmers have held a rally in central Athens to protest reductions in their income as a result of EU farm subsidy cuts. Organizers say some 5,000 farmers from around the country took part in Thursday's peaceful protest. Farmers say they will see their incomes cut by more than 50 percent from next year, after EU tobacco subsidy reforms kick in. Tobacco farmers' representatives are due to meet Friday with visiting EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel. Greek farmers have been hit over the past few years by cuts in EU subsidies for cotton and sugar. Enditem