Widespread discontent among farmers across Europe has exploded into angry protests and blockages of ports and roads in recent weeks against low prices, European Union (EU) agricultural regulations, and unfair competition from cheap imports.
On Tuesday, French farmers, protesting for more than two weeks, blocked major highways with their tractors near Paris while partly blocking access to Toulouse airport, for not being paid enough and being choked by the EU’s excessive regulation on environmental protection.
Producers in the rest of the EU also share the same grievances.
Italian farmers gathered for the third day in a row with their tractors at a motorway exit near Rome on Tuesday, to protest in defense of Italy’s agricultural sector.
They protested EU agricultural policies, increased production costs, higher taxation and lower incomes, and reduced diesel benefits.
“Agriculture is failing,” said Antonio Monfeli, one of the protest organizers, stressing that they are ready to drive their tractors into Rome if they are not listened to.
“Why are farmers the last in line that cannot have a decent life? This is due to Europe, of course, but we cannot talk to Europe; we have to talk to our government, to our national authorities, who instead of protecting us, put in the budget the possibility of feeding us cricket flour or other rubbish that I don’t even want to list,” Monfeli said.
Protesting farmers continued to block roads with tractors in Belgium on Tuesday vowing to keep protesting if their demands aren’t met by their government.
The Belgian farmers closed the main roads into the port of Zeebrugge, the country’s second-largest port, saying the blockade will go on for at least 36 hours.
Many say protesters aim to block Brussels on Thursday — the day EU leaders gather in the capital for a pre-planned summit.
Barbed wire and barriers were erected around the European Parliament in Brussels as protesting farmers held a rally.
Spanish farmers said they would join the movement and organize protests in February.
Earlier this month Berlin was brought to a near standstill as one of its central avenues filled with trucks and tractors.
Why are European farmers protesting?
The farmers argue that a push by governments and retailers to bring down food inflation has left many producers unable to cover high costs for energy, fertilizer, and transport.
A government plan to phase out a tax break for farmers on diesel fuel, as part of a wider energy transition policy, was also a flashpoint.
Another issue that has fanned discontent about unfair competition in sugar, grain, and meat is large imports from Ukraine.
The EU has waived quotas and duties since Russia began its special military campaign in Ukraine and renewed negotiations to conclude a trade deal between the EU and South American bloc Mercosur.
Angry farmers say while the imports pressure the European prices, they do not meet environmental standards imposed on EU farmers.
They blame their earnings squeeze partly on green policies including pesticide bans and nitrogen emissions curbs.
