Not only in India, farmers’ protests are being seen in these European countries also.
As Farmers protest 2.0 Delhi’s borders have been strengthened and sealed in some areas in an effort to prevent a repeat of the farmers’ 2020-21 protests, which began on Tuesday. This came after the last session of discussion between farmer representatives and Union ministers ended inconclusively on Monday night.
‘Delhi Chalo’ demanding legal guarantee of MSP for all crops, complete loan waiver for farmers, pension for farmers, implementation of Swaminathan Commission formula and withdrawal of cases against farmers during 2020 protests. Protests are being held.
However, Delhi is not the only place where farmers’ protests have started. European countries have recently seen farmer protests for a variety of reasons, including demands for better wages and protection from foreign competition in France, the phasing out of tax breaks on agricultural diesel in Germany, and the phasing out of tax breaks on agricultural diesel in other countries across the EU. involves challenging environmental regulations. ,
Let us have a look at the country wise situations in Europe and their current status.
France
Reason: On January 29 this year, long queues of tractors blocked highways near Paris and across France. In France, farmers’ unions are unhappy with concessions made by President Emmanuel Macron’s government and are fighting for better wages, less bureaucracy and protection from foreign competition. On January 31, more than 90 farmers were detained after protesting outside a food market in Paris.
Situation: French farmers marched in Paris on February 2, a day after the French government offered more than 400 million euros ($436 million) in various measures to respond to their complaints over low earnings, heavy regulation and unfair competition. and lifted their barriers elsewhere in the country. From abroad.
Germany
Reason: On January 8, German farmers began a week of nationwide protests against subsidy cuts. Farmers called for protests in response to the government’s decision to phase out tax breaks on agricultural diesel as it tries to get its 2024 budget across the finish line while complying with a constitutional court ruling in November. , forcing it to revise its spending plans. Farmers feel that this will make them bankrupt.
Situation: Since the next meeting of the Bundesrat is scheduled for March 22, the official conclusion of the dispute between the government and farmers may drag on for about two months.
spain
On February 6, Spanish farmers officially launched massive nationwide protests, disrupting traffic on dozens of highways. Protests turned violent on 10 February, when Spanish police clashed with a group of farmers and truck drivers in Madrid as they tried to block it to reach a main road, leading to protests in the European Union. It was one of many protests.
Reason: Spanish farmers demonstrated against EU environmental rules and what they see as excessive taxes and red tape.
Situation: Farmers plan to continue street protests across the country for at least the rest of February, according to updated schedules from various farm groups and organizations.
Italy
Reason: Farmers in Italy have taken out a convoy on the ring road of the capital Rome to protest against EU agricultural policies, including cuts in support for the agricultural sector. Mirroring protests across Europe, farmers in Italy drove their tractors to the city of Flores in Liguria overnight to protest at the Sanremo Song Festival.
Situation: Protests continue in various areas.
belgium
Reason: Hundreds of angry farmers drove tractors into Brussels and protested in front of the European Parliament against high taxes and rising costs. The farmers’ protest is against EU measures to make agriculture more sustainable, as well as the 27-member bloc’s move to lift quotas on grain exports from Ukraine.
Situation: Blocks are in place, farmers are targeting key places. On 13 February, Antwerp, one of Europe’s largest ports, said there was disruption at the site due to Belgian farmers’ protests.
poland
Reason:Farmers in Poland are blocking roads across the country to protest against EU environmental policies and unfair competition from non-EU countries. Polish farmers began the third day of a 30-day strike on 12 February in protest against EU agricultural policies. They are demanding measures from both their national governments and the bloc to tackle rising production costs, low profits and unfair competition from non-EU countries.
Situation:Farmers across Poland begin a month-long general strike.
greece
Reason: Echoing farmer protests in other parts of Europe, farmers are staging a blockade in central and northern Greece and have threatened to leave if the government does not help them deal with higher energy prices and the growing impact of climate change. So they will intensify their action. On 2 February, the Greek government promised help with energy costs for farmers, including a one-year extension of tax exemptions for agricultural diesel, hoping to calm protests by farmers who were quick to make up for losses in the floods. Were demanding compensation.
Situation: Greek farmers threw chestnuts and apples on the pavement outside an agricultural fair on 3 February and promised to escalate protests after a meeting on 6 February.
romania
Reason: The protests stem from anger over low prices for produce, rising costs, imports of cheap food and barriers imposed by the EU’s campaign to fight climate change.
In Romania, hundreds of farmers and truck drivers began protests three weeks ago, with convoys of tractors and trucks slowing or blocking traffic on national roads near major cities, including the capital Bucharest.
Situation: Romania’s coalition government said on February 2 it has reached an agreement with farmers and freight carriers to end weeks of protests against high business costs.
lithuania
Reason: Farmers unhappy with agricultural policies reached the capital Vilnius on January 23 in tractors for a two-day protest. The protesters placed six main demands before the government. They are asking the government to stop the transit of Russian grain through Lithuania. Since the EU has not imposed sanctions on Russian food products, some farmers claim this reduces the prices of their grain exports. Farmers also demanded a solution to the pasture problem.
Situation: On January 25, there was news in the local newspapers that the permit for the farmers’ demonstration at the protest site would not be extended. Farmers protesting in Vilnius over agricultural policies met the Prime Minister the same day.