In recent times, there has been a surge in farmers protests across the globe, with farmers in various countries taking to the streets to voice their concerns on a range of issues. What started off as agitations in some Asian countries have now spread to Europe, and the situation in the continent is evolving rapidly.
Specifically, farmers in two European nations have launched massive protests against the environmental protection policies of the European Union, and have demanded concessions for agriculture.
This protest movement first gained momentum in Italy and Malta in February, and has now spread to other countries including Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania.
These farmers have been taking to the streets and blocking major cities with thousands of agricultural vehicles, such as tractors, as they demand their voices be heard. The situation is being closely monitored, and it remains to be seen how the EU will respond to these protests.
What are the demands of the farmers?
Upon studying all the farmer protests in Europe, it becomes apparent that they share common demands. These protests are organized around issues such as insufficient prices for crops, soaring production costs, low prices of products imported from non-European countries, and the obstacles caused by environmental protection policies introduced by the European Union.
Russia-Ukraine crisis and European farmers
The ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine has led to an unfavorable situation for many farmers in several EU countries. The increase in production costs has been a significant concern for them. The rise in energy, fertilizer, and transportation costs has directly impacted their production expenses.
Additionally, governments have taken measures to reduce food prices, which in turn has caused a decrease in the farmers’ income. The bleak scenario is further amplified by the news that the wholesale prices for agricultural products in 2023 have plummeted by 9% compared to the previous year.
Strict environmental laws
It has been observed that the enforcement of stringent environmental regulations has had a negative impact on farmers. The leaders of farmers’ unions in various European countries have argued that the European Union’s efforts to tighten environmental laws are obstructing the production of affordable food.
This has created a situation where small-scale farms are being forced out of business, while at the same time, the environment that would allow large-scale farms to prosper is being created. The leaders have further pointed out that the number of small farms in the European Union has decreased by one-third since 2005, which is a cause for concern.
European plans up to 2030
According to recent studies, agriculture is responsible for a staggering 11% of greenhouse gas emissions in European Union countries. In an effort to combat this alarming situation, these countries are actively working to implement environmental laws.
However, farmers have expressed concern that these laws are too stringent and could seriously impact their livelihood. They argue that while laws should undoubtedly be passed and implemented, it is crucial to consider the impact that they will have on the farmers themselves.
The European Union’s environmental laws mandate that by 2030, the use of insecticides must be reduced by 50% and the use of fertilizers by 20%. Additionally, it has been announced that at least 25% of agricultural land in the European Union should be allocated for organic cultivation and that steps should be taken to double the organic production capacity.
Furthermore, there are proposals to set aside more agricultural land for non-agro-industrial cultivation. Unfortunately, farmers have been protesting the implementation of these legal requirements, arguing that they pose a significant threat to their livelihoods.
Moreover, it is worth noting that special laws are being passed and implemented in the field of irrigation and animal welfare. This has had a profound impact on farmers in European countries, who are feeling the effects of these laws more than anyone else. Overall, while it is necessary to take measures to protect the environment, it is equally important to ensure that farmers are not unduly impacted by these measures.
Cheap imported food
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has caused a significant impact on the farmers of European countries. In response to this situation, many European countries have implemented measures such as providing tariff concessions and increasing quotas for Ukrainian agricultural products.
However, this has resulted in an unfair competition for the farmers of the European Union countries. The import of low-priced agricultural products from countries like New Zealand and Chile has only further aggravated the competition.
The farmers of these countries can produce their products at a lower cost due to the implementation of environmental laws. As a result, the farmers of European Union countries are unable to compete with the low prices and level of competition in the market.
Moreover, various trade agreements have created an environment where food items such as sugar, grain, and meat can be imported to Europe at lower prices.
This has created an unjust situation for the farmers of European countries who are struggling to make their products available in the market due to the high level of competition.
The current situation has made it challenging for European farmers to direct their products to the market with low prices and fair competition.
Climate change
As the impact of climate change continues to exacerbate, European agriculture has not been spared. The southern region of Spain is currently experiencing a severe water crisis, with some reservoirs recording a water capacity of only 4%.
In Greece, forest fires have caused massive destruction, leading to a 20% decrease in farm income in 2023. The prolonged drought in Spain and Portugal has prompted the governments to impose water consumption restrictions, making it even more difficult to acquire the much-needed resource for farming.
Unfortunately, the governments of these countries and the European Union have been unable to provide adequate solutions, leading to widespread farmer protests against the current situation.
European countries are shocked by farmers’ protests
Protests by farmers in various countries of the European Union have had significant impacts on the policies and decisions of governments.
In response to the protests, Germany has decided to halt cuts to diesel subsidies, while France has abandoned its proposed diesel taxes. Additionally, the French government has announced a 150 million euro agro-industrial welfare plan.
To address the concerns of the farmers, the European Union has decided to impose immediate limits on the import of agricultural products from Ukraine. However, they have also committed to continuing the subsidies reserved for farmers.
The French President, Emmanuel McCrone, and the Irish President, Leo Varadkar, have asserted that they will reconsider the proposed trade agreement with the European Union and South America.
The farmers’ protests have played a crucial role in shaping the decisions of the governments. It is apparent that the European Union is retreating from its original plans and policies in response to the protests.
The governments have realized that their actions could have severe consequences in the upcoming elections if they fail to address the farmers’ grievances.
The farmers are demanding a sustainable agricultural policy from the governments and are of the opinion that the decisions taken in response to the protests may be temporary.
