Farmers fighting back - 19th February 2024

Europe's farming protests began with farmers in Poland taking to the streets, but others have quickly joined them. Farmers in France, Belgium and Germany have used tractors to stop traffic. Meanwhile, in London, farmers demonstrated together outside the UK parliament building.

There isn't one simple reason for their dissatisfaction. However, increasing costs for animal feed, seeds, energy and transport are largely to blame. At the same time, they're also worried by the costs of climate change, environmental laws and cheap food imports. Governments are keen for supermarkets to keep prices low.

The new European Green Deal regulations to reduce climate change are a serious concern. They require farmers to use four percent of their land for hedges, trees or rewilding or lose their EU financial support. However, the President of the European Commission's postponed this law because of the demonstrations.

Far right politicians have called the European Green Deal a failure. They've increased opposition to it, which experts think may affect this year's European elections. However, the French government's promised to provide its farmers with 150 million euros in additional annual support.

Although not in the EU, UK farmers have similar complaints. As many as 49 percent of them are thinking of leaving the profession because of competition from abroad.

Supermarkets feel forced to look for better deals, which often means not buying from local farmers.

With European Parliament elections and a UK election on the horizon, politicians have to find the balance between saving jobs and saving the environment.