The European Commission is set to begin “strategic” talks with farmers’ federations, agri-business firms, NGOs and experts to address various concerns within the farming industry in several countries. Key issues such as farming incomes, sustainable agricultural practices, technological innovations, and competitiveness will be discussed by the European Union’s agriculture ministers at their meeting in Brussels.
In the Netherlands, the government’s plans to reduce nitrogen emissions by cutting the country’s cow population and potentially closing farms have caused unrest among farmers. Similarly, in Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria, food producers have complained about unfair competition from cut-price cereals from Ukraine, which is not a part of the EU.
German farmers have been protesting over the government’s plan to roll back tax breaks and subsidies, while in France, farmers are frustrated with increasing production costs and environmental regulations. Even in former EU member Britain, fruit and vegetable farmers are expressing concerns about unfair treatment by powerful supermarket chains.
There are predictions that rural unrest could spread to other parts of the EU as well. The farming industry’s concerns and grievances are expected to be addressed in the upcoming talks with the European Commission.
