(SOFIA) - Several hundred Bulgarian farmers blocked major roads across the country Thursday in their latest protest against a delay in agricultural subsidy payments, national radio and witnesses reported.

Over 300 milk producers and cattle breeders blocked the Shipka mountain pass in central Stara Planina mountain, briefly halting traffic through the busy pass between Bulgaria's north and south, an AFP photographer at the site said.

The road was reopened following brief clashes with police but nobody was seriously injured, the protographer said.

The farmers denounced the government for failing to aid their crisis-ridden sector, hit by soaring fodder and fuel prices.

"The milk-production sector is on the brink of collapse," their slogans read.

Meanwhile, the national radio reported that dozens of farmers formed a human chain to block a major road linking the capital Sofia and the Black Sea resort of Varna, near the southeastern city of Targovishte.

The farmers are protesting against a delay in the payment of state subsidies for high-quality milk and demanding aid to buy feed for their animals, which they say are starving.

They are also pressing for a VAT cut for food products.

The Bulgarian government recently said it is prepared to pay 30 million euros (45 million dollars) in subsidies to milk producers, to end their month-long demonstrations, as long as Brussels gives its approval.

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