The mayor of Benevento, Clemente Mastella, visited the permanent protest camp of the farmers at the Pentri roundabout in Benevento this morning. The mayor urged the farmers to exercise their right to protest within the bounds of civility and to minimize any inconvenience to the citizens. He then assured that the protest could be carried out in respect of the environment and hygiene, and guaranteed the presence of a portable toilet and waste containers in the area.
Regarding the reasons for the protest, which has spread to several countries in the European Union, Mayor Mastella showed sensitivity and support for the farmers' cause, spending considerable time listening to their concerns: "They have experienced a significant increase in production costs, ruthless, if not unfair, competition from several countries, including those outside the EU, and have to deal with a burdensome tax system. They are right to demand corrections: this cannot continue," commented Mayor Mastella.
Alongside Mastella was also the President of the Province of Benevento, Nino Lombardi, who wanted to express his solidarity for those who are protesting, enduring personal hardships due to the very cold nights in Benevento, to reaffirm the rights of those who work and live from agriculture.
Lombardi stated that if the tractor protest has materialized in Benevento, as in many Italian and European cities, and has ultimately affected Brussels itself, it is clear that the agricultural policies of the European Union need to be deeply revised. President Lombardi highlighted the formidable importance that the agricultural sector, with all its excellence, has on the provincial GDP of Sannio, and that the crisis in agriculture ends up causing a heavy impoverishment of the entire local economy. Lombardi hoped that the European Union and the Italian national authorities would review their policies for the sector.