EU farmers take their complaints to the ballot box and the streets

European Union farmers dissatisfied with the way the EU Parliament has been trying to control agriculture are on their way to the polls this week. Along with the rest of the 27 nation bloc, farmers have been facing a rising cost of living, stricter rules designed to combat climate change, and a never ending fight against poverty.

In the weeks leading up to the election, EU farmers have been protesting against what they see as government officials imposing rules on what can be grown or how much fertilizer can be used. Many producers also feel EU Parliament Ministers have let them down by failing to stop cheaper imports that undercut their prices or meet the same standards.

Conservatives hope they will come to power and be able to sweep away the current Green Deal climate pact, returning farmers to previous rules that gave them a freer hand on how to use their land.

The far-right Flemish Interest party pushed back in Belgium early in the week against a buyout of forested lands in the area. The ring of woods around Brussels is designed to create a zone that improves biodiversity and fights pollution. Protestors say it means the loss of fertile land due to overbearing environmentalists trying to kill off a traditional way of life.

The election results will be tallied on Sunday after the four day voting window closes.

For Market to Market, I’m David Miller.

contact: miller@iowapbs.org