Scrapping cotton a ‘red line’ for Thessaly farmers

Some of the proposals for the reconstruction of Thessaly in central Greece by a Dutch team tasked with drafting a master plan, are being met with objections by locals, in particular one to ditch cotton crops. HVA International presented its proposals a few days ago to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to revive the area after the devastating floods last summer exacted an exorbitant toll from local farmers and the agriculture industry.

Regional Governor Dimitris Kouretas, who heads a specially commissioned scientific team from Thessaly University, told Kathimerini that they prepared a comprehensive and costed reconstruction plan, which would cost half the budget of the Dutch one. The estimated price tag for immediate anti-flood work is €530 million.

“On many points there is convergence with the Dutch, but as far as cotton is concerned we are adamant,” Kouretas stressed, saying it is a “red line.”