What may be Europe’s largest farmers’ protest since the 1990s is underway in Brussels. According to farm lobby Copa-Cogeca, around 10,000 farmers will demonstrate, many arriving with tractors (and some with manure), as anger grows over low prices, heavy bureaucracy, and fears of further budget cuts, Politico reports.
A central grievance is the European Commission’s determination to proceed with a trade deal with the Mercosur countries, which would allow increased imports of beef, poultry, and other agricultural products. France and Poland are among the strongest opponents. Farmers also object to excessive pesticide rules.
The protest may have succeeded: The summit did not approve the Mercosur agreement, kicking the proverbial can down the road to January.
Rising costs linked to climate policy are another flashpoint. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism is expected to push fertilizer prices higher.
