The deputy head of the Stig farmers’ association Milan Markovic told the Beta news agency that farmers are not happy with the outcome of talks with outgoing Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and will decide Thursday evening on whether they will continue their protests. 

“Only one of our demands has been met – liftING the ban on exports of agricultural products, and the Government is to adopt a decision on this today,” Markovic said.
The buy-up price for sunflower seeds offered by the Government is 535 Euro per ton, he said, adding “that is unacceptable to us because we asked for the price of 700 Euro per ton,” Markovic said.

The farmers also demanded exemptions from duties on up to 100 liters of fuel per hectare of land but the government offered a 20 Dinar lower price of fuel for up to 60 hectares but agreed to lift the ban on exports of cooking oil. The government also promised that the farmers who took part in the road blocks with their tractors would not be held accountable under the law but farmers reported on Thursday that the police had taken down their license plate numbers.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that the farmers are right about some things but that the state does not have endless amounts of money. He added that the authorities are trying to meet the demands of the unhappy farmers.

Association president Nedeljko Savic said the Stig members will be informed of the Government offer.

Farmers will meet Thursday evening to discuss ways in which they will continue to fight for the fulfillment of their demands.

The farmers have been blocking roads across Serbia protesting high fuel and fertilizer prices and demanding help from the government.