News peasant protests
Why European farmers are protesting in Koblenz
The German city of Koblenz is currently the stage of a 3-day large farmers' protest that started last Sunday. Mainly dairy farmers from all over Europe have gathered in the city for a meeting of European agriculture ministers. Dairy farmers want a say in European agricultural policy.
The European 'Green Deal' is the reason for the meeting of European agriculture ministers. This deal discusses aspects with the aim of making Europe climate neutral by 2050. It also talks about the future of agriculture and that is precisely why farmers have gathered in Koblenz. It is expected that today (September 1) about 400 tractors will park in the city center.
Talk to, not about
According to the German farmers, agriculture minister Julia Klöckner can decide together with her fellow ministers about the future of the farmers, but she should not expect this to be an easy story. With the protest, the farmers want to show that they are there. They think they deserve a say too, since it's about their future. The approach is therefore that one should talk to them, not about them.
German farmers would like to draw attention to a few points with the protest. For example, they would like to see the tightening of the German fertilizer ordinance withdrawn. The 'insect protection package' should be shelved until reliable evidence-based studies are available. Furthermore, food safety must be guaranteed by domestic agriculture, trade agreements such as CETA and Mercosur must be abandoned because they do not meet the production requirements of European agriculture. In addition, they would like to see Europe renounce a food tax for which farmers have to pay the price and clearly say 'no' to a meat tax.
In addition to the objections mentioned, there are several aspects that other European farmers would also like to draw attention to. In this way a better and above all cost-effective milk price is discussed. In addition, farmers believe that they should be compensated for the extra costs they incur to meet the increasingly strict animal welfare requirements.
Dutch help
The protests started on Sunday and will last until tonight. Dutch farmers are also participating and have traveled with tractors to the German city to support their eastern neighbors and colleagues. Farmers Defense Force and European Milk Board are also present.
Jorine Cosse
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