Spanish markets, factories and farms were gradually returning to normal Friday despite a hauliers' strike protesting fuel prices which went into its fifth day, according to dpa. Traffic was almost completely back to normal, and distribution of foodstuffs to supermarkets was being re-established, Deputy Prime Minister Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said. Car factories, which had interrupted production completely or partially on Thursday, were also beginning to operate again. Livestock farmers said animal feed had started to come in and slaughterhouses to operate. The deployment of 25,000 police with orders to escort transport lorries and to act tough with violent pickets has helped to restore order. Traffic jams were still reported in some places such as north- eastern Barcelona province, where taxi drivers had joined the hauliers' protests. The government lifted the usual restrictions on heavy vehicles to improve traffic flow over the week-end. Some incidents were reported, such as the burning of a lorry near Jaen in the south. Seven pickets were arrested for forcing lorry drivers to stop or for damaging their vehicles in northern Cantabria region. The port of Valencia remained at a standstill as pickets barred vehicles from entering. The strike has clogged traffic, sparked shortages and price hikes, caused losses to farmers, and prompted car and foodstuffs companies to announce temporary dismissals of employees. The striking companies own only 6 per cent of the Spanish fleet, according to figures quoted by the daily El Pais. The strikers have refused to join an agreement reached by the government and most hauliers' associations on a package of measures to lessen the impact of rising fuel prices.
