EU Governments Offer , Concessions Amid Widespread , Farmer Protests.
On February 2, tractors lined up around Greece's
annual Agrotica trade fair to underline farmers'
determination to escalate protests over rising costs.
'The Independent' reports that similar
protests have taken place across Europe,
with farmers speaking out over inflation,
foreign competition and climate regulations.
In response, national leaders have raced
to offer concessions ahead of the European
Union's parliamentary elections in June.
In Brussels, farmers blocked streets with hundreds of
tractors as protestors burned tires, prompting the
bloc's 27 member nations to hold an emergency summit.
In Brussels, farmers blocked streets with hundreds of
tractors as protestors burned tires, prompting the
bloc's 27 member nations to hold an emergency summit.
The EU's executive commission quickly
announced plans to protect farmers from
cheaper products exported from Ukraine. .
The commission also decided to allow farmers to
continue using some land they had been required
to keep fallow due to environmental regulations.
The commission also decided to allow farmers to
continue using some land they had been required
to keep fallow due to environmental regulations.
I just would like to reassure them
that we do our utmost to listen
to their concerns. I think we are
addressing two very important
(concerns) of them right now, Maros Sefcovic, European Commission
Vice President, via 'The Independent'.
'The Independent' reports that another protest
in Paris saw farmers dismantle roadblocks and
other barricades despite the French government
promising additional financial support.
In Germany, farmer protests broke out in December
after the government announced that vehicle and fuel
tax exemptions for agriculture would be abolished. .
On February 2, the Greek government
approved a support package that includes
tax rebates, a five-month discount on
electricity, debt relief and food recovery funds.