Spanish, Portuguese fishermen strike, joining Europe-wide protests over fuel costs
Last Updated: Friday, May 30, 2008 | 8:39 AM ET
CBC News
Protests in Europe against soaring fuel prices spread Friday as commercial fishermen in Spain and Portugal went on strike, joining workers in France, Italy, Britain and many other countries.
Spain is Europe's largest fish producer, and the action could bring one of the country's most important food industries to a halt.
Portugal's entire fishing fleet stayed in port, officials said, because crews stayed away from work. There's no word on when the strike might end.
Thousands of protesters marched on the Agriculture Ministry in Madrid Friday and handed out 20 tonnes of fresh fish to members of the public.
Spanish and Portuguese consumers eat more seafood than most Europeans, and the absence of fish from markets is expected to put pressure on the government to respond to the protests.
French, Italian and Portuguese trawler crews have also held protests and threatened strike action. Fishermen's representatives say diesel fuel has risen by 300 per cent in the past five years while fish prices have remained static or declined.
Even in France, which subsidizes fuel for fishing boats, prices have doubled in the past year.
"I'm earning a third less than a year ago," said boat owner Marc Grandmougin in northwest France, "but the work hasn't gotten any easier."
British and French truck drivers have been blocking roads and holding political rallies. Farmers have also protested in several countries at rising fuel bills.
No subsidies possible: EC
In a statement, the European Commission, which functions as the cabinet of the European Union, ruled out subsidies to fishing fleets but said it was willing to be flexible. The statement didn't explain what options might be on the table.
While wholesale prices for crude oil have dropped $4 a barrel in recent days, prices remain at near-record highs, with analysts predicting steady increases over the months to come.
In addition, European countries levy much higher road taxes on fuel than Canada or the United States. The average cost of gas in Britain is around $2.20 a litre, with diesel at $2.50.
Truckers have been calling for tax cuts to ease prices, while economists warn of the risk for spiralling inflation as fuel costs push up the prices of all goods that are transported.
