EU farmers push back against taxes, subsidy cuts

Over the past two months, protests by European Union farmers have been staged across Germany, the Netherlands and Romania railing against new EU regulations and cuts to agricultural subsidies. 

Many of the protests have gone beyond carrying signs and chanting slogans to dumping manure outside government offices and blocking traffic. 

Last week, German farmers were protesting against planned changes to diesel fuel tax cuts, removal of a tax break for farm vehicles and an increase in the carbon dioxide tax paid by everyone from farmer to urban dweller. 

This week, French farmers slowed traffic and marched in front of E.U. headquarters in Brussels calling for higher subsidies and a reduction in what they call excessive regulation.

Many of the country's farmers say they are struggling to make ends meet due to unfair competition from other countries, fallout from the Russia -Ukraine war, a high inflation rate and cumbersome environmental regulations.

As the columns of tractors slowly approach Paris, a few federal government officials have shown their support for farmers by asking local authorities to not send police to break up the protests. 

France is the E.U.’s largest agricultural producer with an annual output valued at $9.8 billion.

For Market to Market, I’m David Miller.

contact: miller@iowapbs.org