DEMONSTRATORS WITH BANNERS; TABLE WITH APPLES; MARCHERS; TRACTOR WITH APPLE TREES; CHILDREN HAND OUT APPLES.




Initials AH/V/PN/LAD



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: FIVE-THOUSAND BELGIAN FRUIT FARMERS DEMONSTRATED AGAINST LOW PRICES AND THE "DUMPING" OF FRENCH FRUIT ON BELGIAN MARKETS IN THE TOWN OF SAINT-TROND TODAY (SATURDAY). TO EMPHASISE THEIR GRIEVANCES, THE FARMERS TRIED TO HAND OUT FREE FRUIT TO PASSERS-BY.

THE FEELING AMONG THE FRUIT FARMERS HAS REACHED CRISIS PROPORTIONS. SINCE THE FRENCH DEVALUATION OF THE FRANC, BUT PRICE FRUIT HAS BEEN FLOODING ACROSS THE BORDER INTO BELGIUM, WITH THE RESULT THAT THE VALUE OF HOME PRODUCE HAS DECREASED.

IN ADDITION, THE FARMERS ARE COMPLAINING THAT THE REGULATION OF PRICES WITHIN THE COMMON MARKET HAS BEEN INEFFECTUALLY APPLIED, AND THAT THEY ARE IN A DISADVANTAGEOUS POSITION TO COMPLETE WITH THE SUBSIDISED FARMING PRODUCTION IN FRANCE AND ITALY.

TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, THE PROTESTING FARMERS ARE DEMANDING GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES TO ENABLE THEM TO COMPETE WITH FRENCH PRICES, PRODUCTION BONUSES AND MEASURES TO SAFEGUARD THE COUNTRY AGAINST THE "DUMPING" OF FRENCH FRUIT.

THE DEMONSTRATION WAS TIMED BY THE FARMERS TO BRING THEIR GRIEVANCES TO THE ATTENTION OF COMMON MARKET MINISTERS OF AGRICULTURE, WHO ARE DUE TO MEET IN LUXEMBOURG NEXT MONDAY (27TH OCTOBER).