Spanish farmers march on capital

MADRID, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- An estimated 100,000 Spanish farmers marched on the capital in Madrid to protest high costs and a low-profit margin, officials said.

The farmers Saturday warned Spain could end up importing olive oil, grain, meat and other staples because so many Spanish farms were being driven out of business, Euronews.net reported.

Friday, in a strike action, farmers laid down tools throughout the country to block roads.

The farmers experienced a 26 percent drop in real income between 2003 and 2008, while costs rose by 34 percent, Spain's three leading agricultural unions said.

The farmers' financial picture could be improved if the government banned intermediaries, or middle-men, an unidentified farmer Saturday told Euronews.net.

"The government is doing the wrong thing, allowing the intervention of many intermediaries so finally the farmer gets a miniscule part of the amount the consumer pays," the farmer said.