BEIRUT: The Farmers Association called on farmers Thursday to boycott the recently launched government olive oil marketing project.

“Farmers should refuse to participate in the project and we warn the government against endorsing it,” the statement said.

“The decision is strange. We have not even seen such decisions in communist regimes, let alone in a liberal economy like Lebanon.” The association said it did not trust the cooperative to serve the farmers’ interests.

According to the project, the co-op will help farmers market their olive oil. On delivery to the cooperative, 25 percent of the value of the oil will be paid, with the remainder paid when the oil is sold.