Dutch farmer protests over government policies and rising “agflation” destroying their businesses have spread to more European countries.
The farmers are protesting about rising costs and government restrictions put on livestock numbers and fertilizer use in a bid to cut carbon emissions. [bold, links added]
Last month, the Dutch cabinet announced plans for a £22bn program to cut nitrogen emissions by 50% by 2030, to comply with EU regulations on nitrate pollution.
In some areas, emissions cuts of 70% or more may be required.
Under the proposals, farmers would have to drastically reduce – by 40% – the amount of nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions their livestock produce, which would force many farms to downsize and some to close.
Thousands of angry Dutch farmers have used their tractors to blockade ports, airports, and roads. Straw bales have been torched in streets and manure has been dumped at government buildings.
Meanwhile, videos have emerged of Dutch supermarkets running out of food.
The shelves of several supermarkets are already starting to empty in the #Netherlands as farmers across the country have blocked distribution centers for two days.#Boerenprotest #Farmersdefenceforce #Farmersprotest #boerenprotesten #boerenzakdoek #boerenterreur #DutchFarmers pic.twitter.com/kiT85H6HjH
— WeAreProtestors (@WeAreProtestors) July 5, 2022
Now, in a show of solidarity, German, Albanian, Italian, Spanish and Polish farmers have launched protests, in what is fast becoming an EU-wide campaign against “anti-farming” policies.
The farmers fear they could be next and that their governments will seek to impose similar climate policies to comply with EU rules, which they say would threaten their livelihoods and disrupt global food supplies.
On Wednesday 6 July, German farmers joined their fellow Dutch farmers to block roads into the city of Heerenburg, on the Dutch-German border.
In Italy, farmers have held tractor protests on roads in rural areas and have threatened to take their protests to the streets of Rome.
Across the world citizens & farmers are challenging their governments & international impositions
In Tirana Albania this massive demonstration
Dutch German Spanish Italian Polish Farmers Protest as Truckers did with huge Public support
Stand Together
— Together (@Togetherdec) July 8, 2022
A video posted on social media shows dozens of tractors gathering on a rural road, narrated by one farmer shouting: “We are not slaves, we are farmers! We cannot make ends meet!”
In Poland, thousands of farmers held a protest in Warsaw, carrying anti-government banners and placards.
They shouted: “Enough is enough! We won’t let ourselves be robbed!” and “We workers cannot pay for the crisis created by politicians!”
Polish farmers say the rising costs of production, especially fertilizer, are threatening their livelihoods. At the same time, they say their government is allowing cheap food imports.
On 1 July, Spanish farmers blocked the A4 highway in Jaén, Andalusia, to protest against the rising cost of fuel and essential products.
On Twitter, a French account called “Le convoy de la liberté” (Freedom convoy) tweeted: “German farmers are also rising up. Dutch, Italian, Polish, and German, it becomes a worldwide movement.”
Read rest at Farmer’s Weekly
Burn a Green and white Ecology Flag
DO NOT BITE THAT FEEDS US.
Put “the hand” in there.