European farmers decided to react in recent days against policies imposed by the governments of their countries and the European Union (EU), which include economic, environmental and commercial measures that, according to them, threaten the survival of the sector on the European continent.
Through videos on social media, it is possible to see that several farmers have carried out protests with tractors, trucks and other equipment, often blocking roads, public buildings and even factories. The movements are taking place in several countries on the continent and their main agenda is demands for better working conditions, fair prices and respect for rural activities, which farmers consider essential for food and the European economy.
In Germany, where demonstrations are currently taking place with greater intensity, the trigger for the farmers' revolt came from the decision of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's center-left coalition government to eliminate tax exemptions on diesel used in agricultural machinery.
The measure is part of a German government package to cover a deficit of 17 billion euros (R$91.5 billion) in the 2024 budget and is also seen by critics as a movement by environmental parties that are part of the government coalition. to “force” farmers to be more “sustainable in the field”. Rural producers claim that, with the end of tax incentives, the cost of production in the country will increase significantly.
The protests across Germany began in December, when thousands of tractors and trucks blocked the streets and main highways in almost all states in the European country and continue to occur this month at the same pace. The farmers received support from several people, including transport companies and conservative and right-wing parties, who were criticizing the Scholz government's globalist agenda.
German farmers held a large protest in Berlin last Monday (15).Photo: EFE/EPA/Filip Singer| EFE
There are reports that some farmers from the Netherlands and Poland also joined rural producers from Germany and became part of the protests.
Despite the German government retreating from its initial plan and postponing the end of subsidies until 2026, as well as deciding to maintain tax exemptions on agricultural vehicles, farmers continued to mobilize in what they called a “week of action”. , which culminated in a large protest of 8,500 people being held in the country's capital, Berlin, on Monday (15).
On the occasion, the president of the German Farmers' Association (DBV), Joachim Rukwied, expressed his expectation that the German government would reconsider its decision on the end of the subsidy, stating that it creates great difficulties for local farmers.
“That is our main objective in the demonstrations,” he said, warning that “otherwise [se o governo não voltar atrás]the supply of high-quality food will be at risk.”
Thousands of farmers with their vehicles drove to the Brandenburg Gate this week.Photo: EFE/EPA/CLEMENS BILAN| EFE
1,223 kilometers from Germany, in Romania, farmers have also been on the streets for six consecutive days and blocking traffic on the main road close to the country's capital, Bucharest.
Farmers came out with their tractors to demand compensation for the losses being caused because of the cheaper imports the country has been receiving from Ukraine.
Tractors on the streets during a protest in Romania.Photo: EFE/EPA/Robert Ghement| EFE
They also oppose a government proposal, which could result in mandatory vehicle insurance in the coming days, and call for a 50% reduction in taxes on the sector, the advance payment of subsidies and a drop in the price of diesel. On the agenda, there is also opposition to environmental policies imposed by the EU.
The Romanian government has been negotiating with farmers to try to end the demonstration. Last week there were several conversations between both parties, however, they were unable to reach a consensus. The Minister of Agriculture, Florin Barbu, said that the government will continue negotiating with
the sector this week.
“We have meetings scheduled to calmly discuss with each sector separately the support measures and financing solutions for all the situations that farmers are facing this agricultural year,” he said.
“The price of fuel has increased, the price of insurance has increased, we have reached the point where it is more convenient for us to stay parked than to drive, because the taxes are very, very high and we can no longer pay,” said a truck driver who joined the protests from Romanian farmers to the state portal Europa Libera.
Identified as one of the leaders of the protest in Romania, Danut Andrus, told local media that the demonstrations will continue “until the authorities understand that their inability to manage the country is real”. He has also criticized the EU's environmental policies.
Tractors on the streets during a protest in Romania. Photo: EFE/EPA/Robert Ghement| EFE
The country's Economy Minister, Marcel Bolos, said that the ministry has already agreed to some measures demanded by farmers. However, some of them should be discussed with the European Commission, because they involve precisely the commitments made by Romania with continental institutions.
In addition to Germany and Romania, other European countries are also facing lower-intensity farmer protests. In Belgium, for example, there are reports that farmers have taken to the streets to express their discontent with the impact of environmental reform plans imposed by the EU, which could result in high costs for the sector. Protests by rural producers in Spain are also expected to occur in February.
In the Netherlands, farmers have been carrying out occasional protests since 2022 against climate policies that, according to them, could make production in the country unviable. The movement there was so significant that it culminated in the victory of a party made up of farmers in the provincial elections and the recent victory of the right in the general elections.
In France, farmers threw several piles of manure and rotten fruit last Tuesday (16) in front of public buildings in the city of Toulouse, located in the southwest of the country.
French farmers dumping manure in front of a public building during a protest in Toulouse aimed at denouncing tax increases and government policy. Photo: EFE/EPA/GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO EFE/EPA/GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO| EFE
Putting around 400 tractors on the streets, a thousand rural producers demonstrated across the city against the increase in taxes and social charges, which they claim are harmful to the sector. They also call for a reduction in fuel prices and the cost of living in the country.
France, led by President Emmanuel Macron, has been one of the main European countries defending the imposition of EU environmental policies, which are forcing the bloc's member states to create standards to meet a carbon reduction target by 2030 and develop other “green” policies that are, for the most part, resulting in fees considered abusive by rural producers and increased production costs.
French farmers during protest in Toulouse.Photo: EFE/EPA/GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO| EFE
Since last year, Poland and some other Eastern European countries have also faced demonstrations organized by local farmers, this time, most of them are being caused due to the entry of Ukrainian grains that are considered “cheaper” into the European markets. HUH.
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