News peasant protests
Irish farmers block distribution centers
In the Netherlands, farmers are talking about a possible blockade of large distribution centers, in Ireland they are implementing it. Irish livestock farmers are white-hot about the low meat prices and are therefore taking action.
Last week, the distribution centers of Aldi in Naas and Lidl in Charleville were blocked by the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA). Today 9 December it is the turn of a Tesco distribution center in Donabate. The protest started at 7am Irish time this morning and lasts half a day.
Low meat prices
The fact that Tesco has been offering the meat on its shelves at a hefty discount in recent days has caused some skewed faces. According to the IFA, this is an insult to farmers and the work they do.
Irish livestock farmers claim that higher meat prices are possible. According to our own calculations, this amounts to 5 cents per kilo of heifers and 10 cents for bulls. Even then, the Irish meat price still lags behind the EU benchmark. The IFA has indicated that it will continue to campaign until the meat prices paid to farmers rise.
Actions in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, farmers threaten similar blocking actions† Although the major action regarding the possible blocking of distribution centers is only planned just before Christmas, some farmers have already given a foretaste of this. A small group of farmers claimed to have 'looted a supermarket' in Middenbeemster last weekend.
The looting consisted of buying as many groceries as possible (which, of course, were paid for), so that the shelves were as good as empty. The farmers then set out to block a PLUS Retail distribution center for a short time.
Jorine Cosse
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