Madrid - Spanish haulage companies and the government were due on Wednesday to continue their negotiations in view of ending a strike which has clogged motorways and led to increasing shortages of foodstuffs and fuel.

The negotiations were interrupted Tuesday after a picket was hit by a truck and killed near Granada.

A lorry driver was taken to hospital with serious burns after his vehicle began burning in San Isidro near Alicante early Wednesday. The man had been sleeping in the cabin. Several other trucks also caught fire. Police were investigating the incident.

The hauliers are protesting against rising fuel prices which, they say, eat up to 60 per cent of their income.

The government and a transport commission reached an agreement on 54 support measures to the sector on Tuesday, but the hauliers' associations that had called the strike did not back the agreement, and the strike continued Wednesday for the third day.

The hauliers want a minimum price for transport services, which the government sees as being incompatible with a free market, and cuts in fuel-related taxes, which depend partly on the European Union rather than the Spanish government.

The striking associations represent only about 20 per cent of the sector.

The strike has nevertheless caused mayhem on access roads to major cities as lorries have circulated at low speeds and blocked traffic. Blockades continued Wednesday in La Jonquera on the French border, where pickets refused to let trucks through.

About 15 people have been arrested for trying to forcefully stop lorry drivers or after incidents with police. A foreign driver was held for aggressive behaviour towards a picket in Irun on the French border.

Trucks have been damaged by setting them on fire, puncturing tyres or smashing windows. Several pickets were injured after being hit by vehicles.

Wholesale markets, supermarkets and even small shops have begun running out of fresh fruit, vegetables and milk products as pickets have prevented deliveries and citizens fearful of shortages have stocked up on goods.

Fish stocks have been affected also by strikes of fishermen protesting the fuel prices, with about 85 per cent of the Spanish fleet moored.

Petrol stations were also running short on fuel in several parts of the country. Police have escorted petrol and food deliveries to protect them from pickets.

Car factories interrupted or were planning to interrupt production for lack of spare parts.

The government has said that basic supplies were ensured and promised to seek a rapid solution to the crisis. Parliament Tuesday urged the government to take immediate action to put an end to the strike.

A picket was killed Tuesday also in neighbouring Portugal, where hauliers are staging similar protests. (dpa)