Dutch farmers block food distribution centers over new environmental rules | Deutsche Welle:
July 4, 2022 - "Farmers in the Netherlands reacted angrily to a proposal by lawmakers, including a plan to shut down some cattle farms to tackle harmful nitrogen emissions. Dutch farmers angry at government plans to slash emissions used tractors and trucks to blockade supermarket distribution centers on Monday. Fishermen also blocked some ports in a show of support for farmers.
"Their actions were part of ongoing protests against a government proposal to slash emissions of pollutants like nitrogen oxide and ammonia by 50% by 2030. Provincial governments were given a year to draw up ways of making the cuts, which were expected to include buying out some farms with livestock that produce large amounts of ammonia. Nitrogen oxides play a significant role in air pollution, and nitrous oxide contributes more to the greenhouse gas effect than CO2....
"While other sectors, including construction, have also been hit, measures to curb the ammonia generated by livestock farming constitute a significant part of the Netherlands' plans. According to the government's own figures the plan to cut nitrogen emissions by more than 70% in areas close to nature conservation areas could lead to the shutting down of around 30% of livestock farms.
"Farmers were calling for 'the entire country to be paralysed,' and vowed to continue protesting.... Prime Minister Mark Rutte has ruled out negotiating with farmers responsible for radical protests."
Dutch farmers 'desperately' fighting back against government's 'green' agenda | Sky News Australia, July 5, 2002:
Dutch farmers' protests over emission cuts resume after police fire shots | Deutsche Welle:
July 6, 2022 - "Farmers protesting nitrogen emission cuts in the Netherlands gathered again after police fired what they said were warning shots, with no end in sight to the unrest. Dutch authorities on Wednesday said an official investigation has been opened into the events of a heated night of farmers' protests in the north of the Netherlands. Farmers have been demonstrating against a government proposal to slash emissions of pollutants. The protests turned into unrest as they blocked roads and supermarket distribution centers for several days.
"Police say they fired warning shots late on Tuesday and arrested several people after protesting farmers started driving their tractors toward officers at a highway entry lane in Friesland. But the protesters contest the police's statement, claiming they posed no threat to the officers. According to local media reports, the Dutch farmers' interest group LTO called for an investigation, while the police union ACP insisted it was an incidental event that would not contribute to further escalation....
"Hours later, on Wednesday morning, protesting farmers were gathering outside the Groningen airport in the north of the country. The protesters were seeking to block the Groningen airport with their tractors. Medical flights were not affected, according to an official as quoted by the Volkskrant newspaper.
"Protesters are angry about new environmental law proposals that seek to curtail emissions of nitrogen oxide and ammonia by 50% by 2030. According to estimates by the government itself, some 30% of livestock farmers will have to shut down their businesses.
"Farmers say they are being unfairly targeted.... The government has appointed an intermediary to lead talks between farmers' organizations and officials drawing up pollution reduction measures. But Prime Minister Mark Rutte has ruled out negotiating with farmers responsible for the unrest, which includes violence outside the private home of Environment Minister Christianne van der Wal, as well as blockades at food distribution centers across the country."
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