Farmers march

MADRID (Reuter) - Thousands of farmers from all around Spain set out for Madrid carrying placards, walking sticks and even small trees, on a 'green march' to protest against government agriculture policy.

Farm unions say some 12,000 members are taking part in the marches, which will converge on Madrid on 6 March for a mass demonstration outside the Ministry of Agriculture. Unions say that 800,000 farming jobs have been lost in 10 years and complain that the government has not fulfilled a 1992 agreement to reduce production costs and develop rural areas.