Tractors begin slow journey from Valdichiana to Rome

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 5 - Farmers in tractors protesting against national and European policies, cheap imports, high costs and low agricultural prices continued their advance on Rome on Monday ahead of a national demonstration in the capital announced for Friday.
    Roughly 250 farm vehicles departed from a garrison set up near the Valdichiana tollgate on the A1 motorway north of Rome and headed west towards the Via Cassia consular road before snaking their way south to the capital.
    The tractors are expected to arrive in Rome around 5 pm and will gather with others arriving from other parts of Italy including Pisa at a new garrison on Via Nomentana near the motorway ring road.
    "We have created a garrison on Via Nomentana, now there are about 20 tractors but others are arriving from Pisa and Valdichiana. By tonight we expect about 600-700 vehicles," said Salvatore Fais of the Riscatto Agricolo (Agricultural redemption) movement, one of the groups involved in the protests.
    "We will hold discussions with the police authorities in the next few hours. The idea is to demonstrate in Rome on Friday with a procession that will cross the city," he added.
    Separately, Danilo Calvani of Cra Agricoltori and the leader of the nationwide revolt the said his organisation was "expecting about two thousand tractors for the big mobilisation in Rome", the date of which will be announced on Monday evening after a meeting with police.
    Meanwhile, he said garrisons had already formed around the capital in Valmontone, Civitavecchia and Torrimpientra.
    Of the tractors heading to Rome from Valdichiana, Calvani said they are an "autonomous group".
    "When they arrive in Rome, if they want, we will be ready to welcome them," he added. (ANSA).