Hundreds of tractors blocked the Belgian port of Antwerp on Tuesday as farmers continued their fight against Brussels’ environmental and free trade policies ahead of European elections.
Around 500 tractors blocked traffic on roads around the port of Antwerp in northern Belgium to protest environmental and agricultural policies imposed by their government and the European Union government 30 miles to the south, making it one of Europe’s second The business of the second largest port was greatly affected. Brussels.
The protests forced local Flemish government leader Jan Jambon to cancel a planned visit to Barcelona to try to reach an agreement with farmers. Speaking ahead of the protest, Jambon said: Said According to Dutch public broadcaster NOS, “I don’t think anyone wants to see the blockade of the port of Antwerp happen, but it’s up to each person. I hope people will be reasonable tomorrow.”
On Tuesday, Flemish Environment Minister Zuhar Demir offered to meet with a delegation of protesting farmers in Antwerp and said he would provide a police escort to meet them in Brussels. But the farmers, many of whom appeared to intend to keep the port blocked all night, scoffed at the offer, insisting that they could come to them if they thought the matter was that important. Het Raaste Neuus report.
Brussels flashes first: European Union scraps key elements of green agenda amid standoff with farmershttps://t.co/Ew3Ng6RJdE
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The port blockade comes amid widespread struggles by farmers across Europe who are increasingly challenged by rampant inflation, massive imports of cheap Ukrainian agricultural products and the EU’s environmental policies. The latest protests in Antwerp are against the Flemish government’s latest nitrogen legislation, demanding It says it will cut them in half by the end of 2010 to comply with European Union standards.
Farmers argue that the law unfairly affects them while giving large corporations a carve-out. When you talk to antwerp gazette group of farmers Said:”First of all, industry is allowed to emit 40 times more than farmers. It is also suspected that the products were produced for export purposes. But what will happen to companies like Ineos and Volvo Cars here in the port of Antwerp? Isn’t it also exported? ”
Farmers stand by a tractor and a fire during a protest organized by several agricultural unions on Quay 730 near the port of Antwerp on February 13, 2024 (Photo by JONAS ROOSENS/Belga/AFP)/Belgium OUT (Photo) Credit: JONAS ROOSENS/Belga) /AFP via Getty Images)
“This protest is coming from below. This time the initiative is from the farmers themselves. It is mainly us young farmers who are watching our future melt before our eyes. “It is sometimes the life’s work of several generations of a family,” they continued.
“Until we get a clear signal from politicians that something is changing, we are here to stay. We are ready for that. We receive a lot of food from. That gives us the feeling that we have a lot of people behind us.”
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Widespread support for farmers opposing climate change-inspired regulations and taxes has sparked fear among globalist governments across Europe, with even EU leaders in Brussels calling for a net-zero plan to quell anger. announced that it would withdraw some elements. of the farmers.
But with around 400 million people set to vote in June to decide the composition of the next European Parliament, farming groups appear intent on increasing pressure to ensure agriculture remains top of mind for voters. Arnaud Rousseau, president of France’s FNSEA farmers’ union, said this week that it was “very likely” that French farmers would once again get on the tractors and demand better treatment.
Farmers and their tractors gather in a protest near Quay 730 of the Port of Antwerp, organized by several agricultural unions, on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 in Antwerp. Farmers are protesting across Europe demanding better conditions for growing, producing and maintaining adequate incomes. BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS (Photo Credit: JONAS ROOSENS / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo Credit: JONAS ROOSENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
Farmers’ collective actions, such as the tractor protests, have already achieved political success. The Peasants’ Citizen Movement party became the largest party in the Dutch upper house last year and is likely to form a coalition partner with populist leader Geert Wilders, the prospective prime minister. I am a passionate supporter of farmers.
Populists across Europe are starting to unite their cause, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said, adding that the climate of elites such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is growing. It positions the election as a battle between issues surrounding change and working-class farmers. “The situation is dire in terms of labor and rights,” Salvini said while in Brussels earlier this month, adding that the farmers’ opposition “comes with a crazy pseudo-green European policy against farmers, fishermen, truck drivers… This is clear,” he added. Europe has prioritized ideology over labor. ”
French peasant revolt: 9 out of 10 people support peasant protests against globalist government https://t.co/cINXr0IjEx
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