Protesters demonstrated in front of several public buildings carrying manure and slurry after politicians voted on proposals to reduce emissions of harmful pollutants, a plan that could force farmers to reduce their livestock numbers or stop working altogether. Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s government says the nitrogen oxide and ammonia emissions that livestock produce must be drastically reduced near nature reserves, which are part of a network of protected habitats for endangered plants and wildlife that spans across the whole EU.
Thousands of Dutch farmers showed up to speak out against the climate policy of their World Economic Forum (WEF) government.
Photos show thousands of trucks blocking the German-Dutch border.
Journalist Keean Bexte posted a video on Twitter, writing: “Farmers who learned from Canadian freedom protesters are currently blocking the border between the Netherlands and Germany with tractors to protest their government’s WEF climate change policy.”
While others threw their bales on roads and demonstrated outside town halls and town halls, with some setting bonfires outside the buildings.
But protests turned violent when a group of farmers clashed with police stationed outside the home of Christianne van der Wal, the minister who oversees Dutch reforms to curb pollution.
Several arrests were made.
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About the protests, Rutte said: “Freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate are an essential part of our democratic society and I will always defend them.
“But it is not acceptable to create dangerous situations, it is not acceptable to intimidate officials, we will never accept that.”
Speaking from the NATO summit in Madrid, he added: “You can demonstrate, but in a civilized way.
“So don’t block highways, don’t set off fireworks in front of a minister’s house, and don’t spread manure and… don’t scare two children, and don’t endanger families.”
The government plans to reduce emissions of pollutants, mainly nitrogen oxide and ammonia, by 50 percent by 2030.
They say it is an “inevitable transition” to improve air, land and water quality.
Farmers have been warned to adapt or risk closing their businesses.
The government statement admitted: “The honest message is that not all farmers can continue their business.”
But Dutch farmers say the agricultural industry in the Netherlands is being punished compared to other EU countries.
During a protest earlier this week, a group of farmers in a Dutch Natura 2000 area near the German border put up flags and a sign saying ‘Welcome to Germany’.