New action by farmers FDF against 'corrupt government'

Farmers Defense Force (FDF) announced a new large-scale protest on Wednesday, October 16. The organization also wants to involve citizens in the demonstration against what it says is 'corrupt government'. FDF does not yet say where the action will be held in the Randstad.

On the other hand, Schiphol has been scrapped as a possible location. The accelerator behind the protest is the new nitrogen policy that the cabinet announced on Friday 4 October. One of the most important pillars in this plan is the purchase of agricultural companies in order to create nitrogen space. "We are being killed on the basis of wrong facts. All this is realized by a corrupt government and the citizen is influenced with wrong information," FDF said in a pamphlet.

According to the FDF, this is proof that the demonstration of Tuesday, October 1, has generated sympathy from the public, but has not led to a change of course in politics. This despite the nice words that politicians from the House of Representatives said about the agricultural sector on the Malieveld.

Demotivate profession
The organization also refers to the 4-week ultimatum that FDF and Agractie have set to achieve a revaluation of Dutch agriculture. "Despite this ultimatum, politicians continue to reorganize and demotivate the profession." The new action confirms the suspicion of Tjeerd de Groot (D66) Saturday 5 October in De Volkskrant, which indicates that new farmers' protests are expected.

According to De Groot, who set the fuse in the powder keg for the major protest with his call to halve the pig and poultry stock, the cabinet is heading for a reorganization of the Dutch livestock sector. In doing so, he points to the ambition of Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) for the introduction of circular agriculture. "Having the livestock by half is the consequence of the cabinet's vision." According to De Groot, if there is enough money, the livestock could be reduced by half by 2025. 

Farmer earns more with less
In addition, manure must then be used for the arable farming sector and the import of animal feed from abroad will cease. According to him, the livestock farms that remain will earn more after that. "The perspective that circular agriculture offers is that in the future they will be able to earn more with fewer animals. Better for them and better for nature." De Groot does not report in De Volkskrant how this higher income can be achieved.

FDF also hopes for the support of citizens (including cars, buses and trucks) in the protest announced on 16 October. "Farmer is looking for citizen for action", the organization announces the protest. "We hope that the citizens will join forces with the farmers, we need each other more than ever." Fishermen are also taking part in the protest. Agractie does not endorse the announced action as an organizer.

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