The government's measures for farmers

The measures for farmers, in the already known framework set by the government, were elaborated by the Vice President of the government Kostis Hatzidakis, the Minister of Rural Development Kostas Tsiaras, the Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou, the Deputy Minister of Finance Thanos Petralias.

In particular presented six government decisions: 

1. Redistribution of €160 million of unallocated subsidies to livestock farmers (€80 million) and wheat and cotton producers (€80 million)
2. PPC extends the GAIA programme for two years from 1 April 2026, with the price of electricity for farmers at 8.5 cents per kilowatt hour.
3. Immediate amendment of the ELGA regulation for compensation at 100% of insurable value (from 80% which is currently) and increase the compensation limit to 200,000 euros, without increasing insurance contributions
4. Interventions to boost investment in the agricultural sector
5. Refund of agricultural oil VAT at the pump, with a special app on the mobile phone, from 1 November 2026
6. Development of a national agricultural traceability and authenticity system to digitally tackle illegal imports.

These are the measures, dialogue on other issues only

On the line “these are the measures and no more” which had been drawn up by Maximou through the government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, the relevant ministers made it clear to the agricultural blockades that the government is no longer negotiating on their demands. They also argued that the government has exhausted national and community resources, and that some farmers' demands cannot be met due to European regulations.

However, they said that the government invites farmers to a dialogue, but on other primary sector issues, such as the CAP and the EU-MERCOSUR agreement.

“We are always discussing and I hope that the other side will understand that it is not possible to have protests and blockades that cut the country in half and at the same time those who are protesting refuse dialogue with the democratically elected government of the country.” Hajidakis said and added: “I am confident that a spirit of common sense will prevail.”. 

For his part, Mr.Tsiaras said: “The dialogue door of the Ministry of Rural Development is open to anyone who wants to discuss. Dialogue is not a retreat. It is an act of responsibility towards those whom everyone represents.”. He also argued that the government has taken its own responsibilities and that “now is the time of responsibility for all”. 

The Minister for Rural Development, however essentially defended MERCOSUR, on which he called on farmers to engage in dialogue. He argued that new markets will open up for Greek agricultural products and especially PDO products in Latin America. While assuring that there would be safeguard clauses. But he also referred to the claim for additional resources for the Common Agricultural Policy in the next MFF, for the disruptions that he admitted “there may potentially be a market for agricultural products” from MERCOSUR.

He announced a national dialogue with all farmers across the country on the CAP through conferences in each region.

Farmers demanded electricity at 7 cents, government gives 8.5

The main news today, however, concerned the price of electricity, for which until recently the government had promised to extend the GAIA programme but had not clarified the exact figure.

In particular, as mentioned above, Mr.Tsiaras announced an extension of the GAIA for two years from April 1, 2026, with a price of electricity at 8.5 cents per kilowatt hour for those who do not have overdue debts, from 9.3 cents per kilowatt hour which was the previous regulation which has expired.

It is recalled that farmers are asking for 7 cents per kilowatt hour, but the government insists that 8.5 cents per kilowatt hour is the best it can do.

“Greece is the only country in the EU that applies a low price system. This is the lowest possible price to avoid competition issues.”, invoked by the Minister of Rural Development

“We all know that 8.5 cents is the lowest possible price. The average consumer pays 15 cents, industry pays 20 cents.” he said in response to questions.

He also stressed that all Greek producers and new farmers and those who had missed the previous regulation will be able to participate in GAIA.

How farmers will get back the VAT on oil with a mobile app

Apart from electricity, a key demand of the farmers was tax-free agricultural oil. The government is responding to this by returning the NED at the pump and Papastergiou today outlined how this will be done.

In particular, the refund of the VAT on agricultural oil will be made through an application that will be downloaded by the beneficiary farmers on their mobile phones from mydata. At the time of purchase they will receive a QR code, which they will give to the petrol station to automatically get the discount. In other words, a discount will be passed on to their invoice after an online check to confirm that the customer is a farmer and that the product is diesel.

The application for the refund of the VAT on agricultural oil will have and facial recognition.

A similar application should be downloaded by petrol station owners throughout the country, who will receive every ten days back the amount corresponding to the refund of the VAT on agricultural oil.

This new digital refund procedure for agricultural oil will be implemented from 1 November 2026. “It's a great exercise, it's not simple. It takes a reasonable amount of time.”, stressed Papastergiou.

He explained in particular that in addition to the application being developed by the Ministry of Digital Governance in cooperation with the ADSE, must first review the limits of liters per acre by a special committee, in which he invited farmers to participate. He also left open the possibility that the committee could increase the total amount of the refund. Papastergiou also noted that the submission of the new OASDE should be carried out first, starting in September.

Papastergiou, however, clarified that there can only be an immediate refund of VAT on agricultural oil and not a tax-free agricultural oil from the outset, citing European legislation.

The blockades are consulted

Today the response of the blockades is expected, which at the time of the announcements have already started telephone consultations.

The farmers kept a small basket anyway, as essentially the government is merely specifying what it has already announced in the budget on 16 December.

With 2,000 tractors lined up at the Thessaly blockade, the farmers will meet today Wednesday (7/1) at 18:00, to examine whether the government's announcements converge with the 14 demands they submitted a month ago.

Specifically, general assemblies have been scheduled for this afternoon at the blockades of Nice, of Ε65, but also in other parts of the country for further coordination between the blockades in order to take final decisions.

It is recalled that on Sunday the nationwide assembly of the blockades in Malgara decided to give the government another deadline until Wednesday, then announcing an escalation of their mobilisations on Thursday and Friday.

In fact the farmers have been warned with 48-hour blackout on the highways, as well as closing the bypasses. The most critical blockade will be the one at Bralo, as there the country will literally be “cut in two”. 200 of the 1,400 tractors of the militant blockade of the Karditsa.

At the same time the plan of escalation predicts that the blockades will be closed again at Tempi and Malgara on the Athens-Taloniki road, at Nestani (Central Peloponnese-Morea Motorway), at Siatista (Egnatia Odos), at Melouna (Larissa-Kozani National Road) and at the Rio-Antirrio bridge (Ionia Odos). At the same time, the blockades will continue at the customs and transit stations of Evzona, Nikis, Promachona, Exochion, Ormenio and Kipon.

Today, however, the blockades will remain open, in accordance with the decision of the national assembly.