Farmers protest across Europe
Farmers in France and other European countries are protesting against what they say are unfair trade practices, rising fuel prices, and environmental regulations.
In France, farmers have blocked highways and damaged property, including government offices. They are threatening to block food deliveries to Paris, the country's largest agricultural producer.
The French government has mobilised 15,000 police to prevent the protests from escalating.
"No tractor will enter Paris or other major cities," said French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. "In the Île-de-France region, the Rungis market will continue to operate, as will the Roissy and Orly airports. This defensive position requires substantial resources. 15,000 police and gendarmes have been mobilised for this purpose."
In Italy, farmers have marched with tractors, blocked roads, and held pickets. They are protesting against rising fuel prices, the difference between the price they receive for their products and the price at which they are sold, and what they say are unfair European regulations.
"We are protesting against the green deal measures at European level, because the fact that we have to leave 4% of land uncultivated is madness," said a young man from an Italian agricultural company.
"This is how agriculture dies. The problem is the Europe of the lobbies. I wanted to create a Europe of the people, but we have ended up with a Europe of the lobbies. I no longer trust it!" said Domenico Chierici, a sunflower oil producer.
Andrea Libero Gioia, president of the "Piccola Italia" association, said that not only Italian farmers are uniting.
"Today, in Turin, French, Dutch, Spanish, and German farmers are meeting with our Italians. Here, Italy is uniting, but, in reality, through the unification of Europe, we are uniting the world."
The protests have spread to several other European Union countries, including Belgium, Italy, Greece, Germany, and Poland. Farmers have denounced the restrictions imposed on them by EU environmental policies, the free entry of Ukrainian products to the market, and rising fertiliser and fuel prices. Food prices have also risen significantly, which is having a major impact on living standards.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
