The threat of rising farming costs mixed with cheaper imported food and expensive EU environmental policies that would impose limitations have farmers in France, and elsewhere, protesting.
FISM News has previously reported on the French farmers, who have been blocking major highways and roads for weeks in protest of the aforementioned issues. These farmers have stepped up their efforts, even setting bales of hay on fire to partly block access to the Toulouse airport.
The French government has attempted to appease the farmers by changing a few of their policies. So far, France has dropped plans to gradually reduce subsidies on agricultural diesel fuel and has engaged in conversation with protest leaders.
But the farmers say they want more than just a few changes to temporarily assuage their concerns; they want permanent changes that will secure their future. And it seems that sentiment is spreading.
Farmers in Belgium have taken to similar measures for the same reasons as those in France. Belgian farmers have barred access to some highways and roads as well as a port in the North Sea. As one farmer put it it is “time for things to change.”
But much of Europe is feeling similar pains. Italian farmers have begun blocking roads in Milan and Tuscany. Further west, farmers in Spain have also been inspired and made plans to block off streets in February.
All of this is happening the same week as a scheduled summit of European Union leaders.
Given the timeliness of these demonstrations, the European Commission has made some proposal adjustments to limit some of their imports and loosen certain environmental regulations. But this is still unlikely to please the farmers, who are committed to riding out the protests as long as it takes until all of their demands are met.