Protests still on Down Under
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E Drivers in Spain and Sicily have lifted blockades, suspending their protests at rising fuel prices, but demonstrations are continuing as far afield as Australia.
Spanish truckers called off their three-day-long blockade of border routes into France and Portugal after gaining significant concessions from their government and increased rates from customers.
The Spanish government has promised transport workers low-interest loans and tax rebates worth £190m. Customers have agreed to a 10% rate increase.
However, the Italian government has said that as an EU member It Is unable to do anything more on its own about fuel prices. Transport Minister Pierluigi Bersani was speaking at the end of a crippling seven-day Sicilian blockade which shut stores and petrol stations across the island and caused some cities to ration water supplies.
The truckers' union says that it suspended the protest "-to avoid inconveniencing Sicilian families". The action is estimated to have cost the Sicilian economy up to £240m.
Meanwhile Australian truckers have parked 20 trucks outside the parliament building In Canberra.
Hauliers claim that rising fuel costs are forcing them to make exhausting extra runs. They are demanding rate rises, a national investigation into fuel pricing and a cut in fuel prices.