Protesting farmers block roads

Nearly 2,000 farmers blocked a number of main roads in Western Poland yesterday to demand more state aid for the agricultural sector, a contentious issue ahead of June's EU referendum. Police used water cannon and batons to end two of 28 roadblocks, staged despite sub-zero temperatures by farmers demanding increases in pork and milk subsidies. "All roadblocks have ended for today. But we expect more protests tomorrow, which could be more violent," said a regional police spokesperson. Opinion polls show that the majority of Poles back EU accession, but many farmers are unhappy that under an entry deal struck last year they will not receive full EU farm subsidies. The roadblocks were called by populist farming leader, Andrzej Lepper. (Reuters) A.C.