Czech farmers gathered at various border crossings on Thursday to protest against European Union agriculture policies and bureaucracy. They were joined by farmers from neighboring countries to voice their concerns about the challenges facing their industry.
The farmers expressed dissatisfaction with EU environmental policies, particularly the Green Deal, which imposes restrictions on chemical usage and greenhouse gas emissions. They argue that these regulations hinder their business operations and lead to higher production costs compared to non-EU imports.
In addition to environmental policies, the farmers highlighted the issue of low prices for their products. They believe that agricultural imports from countries like Ukraine and Latin America have a negative impact on the market, further exacerbating their financial struggles.
Farmers from 10 EU countries, spanning Central Europe to the Baltics and the Balkans, participated in the protest. They converged at various border crossings, including those between the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia.
At the Czech-Slovak border crossing of Hodonin-Holic, hundreds of tractors blocked the road as a symbolic gesture of solidarity. The farmers called upon government officials, including the Czech Agriculture Minister, the Slovak Agriculture Minister, and representatives from Poland and Hungary, to address their grievances.
One of the protest organizers emphasized that the farmers' actions were not directed against the EU as a whole but rather aimed at challenging what they perceive as misguided decisions by the European Commission. They seek to engage in constructive dialogue to advocate for policies that better support the agricultural sector.
