Why are farmers protesting across Europe?

opinion

by John McGlion

From Düsseldorf to Dublin, farmers are taking to the streets to voice their grievances and fight for their very survival.

Last week in Prague, hundreds of tractors pulled by farmers expressing dissatisfaction with unfair EU agricultural policies were seen arriving in the historic downtown area.

The vehicle was heading to the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Agriculture, where disgruntled farmers complained that environmentally focused regulations have made their products more expensive compared to imports from outside the European Union. He lashed out at lawmakers for undermining competitiveness.

Ironically, Ukraine is the biggest target of their anger. Despite the country’s bloody war with Russia, Ukrainian goods, which are not subject to EU tariffs, continue to flow westward at prices far lower than those of its European competitors.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, Italian farmers gathered in central Rome to appeal to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for more support for agriculture and to oppose EU regulations they believe are harmful to their country’s agricultural sector. Just last week, farmers gathered at the Vatican with their cattle to seek Pope Francis’ blessing for their campaign.

Demonstrations have also taken place in France, Germany and Poland, with farmers protesting rising costs, low farm prices, an influx of cheap imports and restrictions imposed by EU policies aimed at combating climate change. They have expressed dissatisfaction with this.

Like those in the Czech Republic, Polish farmers have set their sights on Kiev, intensifying protests along the border with Ukraine and effectively disrupting nearly all traffic to protect their livelihoods.

In Ireland, where I grew up, thousands of farmers have taken up arms, including my father, a long-time beef farmer in County Mayo. He is just one of many people affected by a series of draconian policies sweeping the island’s once idyllic agricultural sector. The Irish government recently announced a strategy to reduce emissions from agriculture by a whopping 25%.

As part of this initiative, the government is recommending a 10% reduction in Ireland’s dairy herd, which would result in 200,000 cows being culled. Unsurprisingly, this sparked anger among farmers, leading thousands to take part in protests across the country in trucks, tractors, and even on foot.

An independent TD named Michael Healy-Rae (Teachta Dala, MP) called the plan “utter madness”.

It’s hard to argue with him because culling Irish cattle would simply move beef and dairy production to other countries. Some may argue that emissions will not be curbed. Instead, it will be relocated. Tens of thousands of Irish farmers risk losing their livelihoods. What on earth is it for? This is because Brussels’ elites have very “ambitious” climate change targets that they believe are incompatible with traditional agricultural practices.

Irish farmers know that to fight draconian policies they need government representatives – politicians who work in their interests, not against them.

Join Ireland’s newest political party, the Farmers’ Union. Last month, he successfully completed the registration process and is now officially joining Irish politics. After obtaining the necessary approvals from the Registrar of Political Parties, political parties are eligible to put forward candidates for local, national and even European elections.

Alliance leader Liam McLaughlin says they have already identified 40 potential candidates and will have more than 100 ready by the summer, when polling stations open for the upcoming Irish local elections. This is what they are aiming for.

The rise of the Peasants’ Union in Ireland is indicative of a much broader European trend, dare I say conflict. Farmers face numerous challenges due to environmental regulations imposed by their respective governments and the European Union.

In the Netherlands, another country beholden to EU bureaucracy, around 3,000 farms could be closed due to the Dutch government’s nitrogen emissions limits. Farmers are protesting in the streets and through voting. Last year, the Peasant Civic Movement, a populist party supporting farmers, won a landslide victory in the country’s local elections.

Events in Europe must be viewed through a much broader lens. Since January last year, farmers in at least 67 countries have staged protests, including Brazil, Mexico, Kenya, Nepal and India.

The reasons for the protests vary, but what they all have in common is that farmers are being targeted by governments to promote questionable environmentally-driven policies.

Attacks on farmers, and they are, hurt us all. According to a United Nations report, the world’s population will rise to 8.5 billion by 2030 and could reach 9.8 billion by 2050.

Agriculture, which has to feed so many people, should be considered one of the most important occupations on earth, and one that needs to be saved, not destroyed.

Thomas Jefferson, an avid farmer, famously called farming “our wisest pursuit,” primarily because “it is ultimately the greatest source of true wealth, good morals, and happiness.” Because it contributes.” On the other hand, its destruction can lead to widespread poverty, moral decline, and ultimately misery.