Von der Leyen sings ode to farmers, promises action to appease protests

euronews (in English)

Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen met with farmers’ representatives at the end of the EU summit promising new upcoming initiatives in a bid to douse flames after a day of protests in Brussels.

Transcript

00:00 The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and other EU leaders,

00:05 the Belgian and Dutch Prime Ministers Alexander de Kruy and Mark Rutte, made an impromptu

00:08 meeting with farmers' unions on the sidelines of the EU Summit in Brussels.

00:15 Earlier that morning, over a thousand tractors showed up outside the European Parliament,

00:20 where angry farmers set bales of hay on fire and toppled a bronze statue.

00:27 Protesting farmers across Europe demand more income.

00:30 They're also critical of the EU's Green Deal policy to protect the planet.

00:35 We had a very constructive, a very good meeting.

00:38 We listened to the main complaints and worries and concerns of the farmers.

00:45 It's very important that we find common solutions.

00:48 We share the goals, for example, the protection of nature because we all live in nature and

00:52 with nature.

00:53 The best ambassadors for nature are the farmers themselves.

00:58 Farmers also complain about severe administrative burdens brought about by the EU's Common Agricultural

01:02 Policy.

01:03 They also complain about low prices for grain and wheat.

01:07 Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander de Kruy says the current Belgian EU presidency is

01:11 putting this issue high on the agenda.

01:15 What we see is they want to be a partner in the climate transition.

01:19 They've done a lot of efforts up to now, but obviously they're confronted with what you

01:23 could call a lasagna of measures that all come at the same time.

01:27 In addition, farmers have concerns about the EU's future trade deals with South America

01:31 in particular, which according to them, would facilitate beef imports from countries with

01:36 lower regulatory standards.

01:38 Shona Murray, Euronews, Brussels.

01:40 [Whoosh]

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