On Thursday, dozens of tractors were parked at border crossing points between the Czech Republic and Slovakia, disrupting traffic and stairwayBy working with customs. Farmers from both countries, as well as Hungary and Austria, took to the streets to protest againstimports of agricultural products from countries outside the European Union specified as Ukraine and South American countries. These protests are part of the wider agricultural movement in Europe, which calls for changes in EU agricultural and trade policy.
Protests against import and bureaucracy
According to the press agency Reuters, farmers are frustrated by the increasing competition from imported goods, which are frequently cheaper than products produced in the EU. 1 of the main allegations is the trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur block, concluded in December, which allows easier access to the European marketplace for agricultural products from South America. Farmers are afraid that this agreement will jeopardise their competitiveness and lead to a fall in the prices of their goods.
"What touches me... is that I gotta meet an incredible number of commitments, paperwork, registration and so on," said Czech farmer Petr Chaloupka. "At the same time, I am incapable to sale the goods at the price at which they are imported here, either from the east or even from South America."
Green Deal in the Fire of Criticism
Protesting farmers besides did not cover their discontent with the EU climate strategy, known as the Green Deal. On the banners, you could read slogans specified as the Dead end of the Green Deal, indicating that fresh environmental regulations could further burden already struggling farmers.
Farmers request little bureaucracy and greater EU support so that they can compete in the global market. The agricultural unions besides called for the blocking of the Mercosur Agreement and the conclusion of a fresh agreement with Ukraine, which would better defend the interests of European farmers.
Protests at another Borders
Protests were not limited to border crossings between Czech Republic and Slovakia. According to the Czech press agency CTK, akin actions took place in another border areas, including the Polish border crossing point. Farmers from different EU countries join forces to draw attention to their problems and put force on decision-makers in Brussels.
What is next for EU agricultural policy?
These protests are also signal that European farmers are increasingly threatened by global competition and EU bureaucracy. There have been waves of protests in Europe over the past year and farmers are increasingly demanding changes in EU agricultural policy. In the face of the forthcoming elections to the European Parliament, these issues can become 1 of the key topics of public debate.
Will the European Commission take action to meet farmers' expectations? Will there be a compromise between environmental protection and support for European agriculture? These questions will be answered within months.
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Czech and Slovak farmers block border crossings in protest against import of cereals from Ukraine and Mercosur
