Monday, February 5, 2024

European farmers stage new blockades


Disgruntled farmers have blockaded the Belgian border with the Netherlands and plan a blockade Friday at the Polish border with the Ukraine.


It’s an increase in the lobbying pressure to draw attention from the public and politicians to their complaints about surging grain shipments from the Ukraine and environmental regulations and cuts in subsidies such as tractor fuels.


Last week they demonstrated in front of the European Union Parliament, including setting hay bales on fire.


Farmers in France, Belgium, Portugal, Greece and Germany have been protesting.

Polish farmers have been particularly vocal about the impact of cheap food imports from neighbouring Ukraine."Our patience has run out. Brussels' position on the last day of January 2024 is unacceptable for our entire agricultural community," the Polish Solitary Trade Union trade said.