Farm Protest Ups Pressure On Embattled Latvia Gvt

Farmers have demanded extra support from the authorities to compensate for the drop in prices for their produce.

Latvian farmers used tractors to block a main road and laid siege on Tuesday to the Agriculture to protest falling incomes, adding pressure on a government already facing a no confidence vote in parliament on Wednesday.

Farmers have demanded extra support from the authorities to compensate for the drop in prices for their produce.

The government has already been undermined by squabbles among the four parties which form it.

The economy is also on the slide and last year Latvia was had to accept a 7.5 billion euro rescue package from the IMF, the European Union and other lenders.

"We are waiting for a positive answer today from the government, but if not, we can stay in Riga for as long as it takes," a protest organiser, Maris Mozvillo, told Reuters.

With about 40 other farmers, he stood outside the Agriculture Ministry in the centre of the capital Riga, where they lit a bonfire to keep warm and parked several tractors.

"We are not here to break things or throw rocks, we just want what we deserve," he added.

A spokeswoman for the state police said a column of tractors had also blocked one of the main highways into Riga, creating problems for several hours for drivers.

The global economic crisis, which has forced the government to slash spending and raise taxes, has increased social tensions.

On Jan. 13, a peaceful anti-government demonstration descended into the worst riot seen in Latvia since it broke free from the Soviet Union in 1991.