Tractor protest splits in pro-govt, anti-govt camps

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 10 - The farmers who have been staging protests in Italy as part of Europe-wide demonstrations to highlight their plight split into pro-government and anti-government camps on Saturday after Premier Giorgia Meloni promised help during talks with agricultural associations on Friday.
    "Yesterday's meeting at the ministry went badly, we only came out with promises," said Andrea Papa, one of the spokespersons of the Riscatto Agricolo (Agricultural Redemption) group.
    "So the the protest base on the Via Nomentana (near Rome) remains.
    "Indeed, we will strengthen it. More vehicles are on the way.
    "We will have 1,000 tractors there.
    "(Agriculture Minister Francesco) Lollobrigida came here yesterday (to the protest base) without being invited and was booed on his arrival".
    But another protestor, Roberto Rosati, sees things differently.
    "In my opinion it was a constructive discussion," said Rosati.
    "The minister has promised that the door is always open for us".
    (ANSA).