Stay up to date with notifications from TheĀ Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

AP PHOTOS: A farming protest movement grips Europe from Brussels and Berlin to Greece and Romania

Via AP news wire
Thursday 01 February 2024 14:52 GMT

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Snow-dusted tractors lined up outside the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, and nighttime protests in Romania marked by vivid national flags have become markers of a widespread farmer protest movement across Europe.

Starting in France, where farmers blocked major highways around Paris with their tractors, the days-long protests spread across the European Union, highlighting deep-seated grievances within the agricultural sector. The movement, triggered by concerns over the impact of low wages, heavy regulation and the influx of cheap imports, has seen farmers from Spain, Italy, Germany, Romania and Greece join in calling for action.

In response, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal announced a new set of measures Thursday aimed at addressing the farmersā€™ concerns. Attalā€™s speech came as convoys with hundreds of angry farmers driving heavy-duty tractors created chaos outside the European Unionā€™s headquarters, demanding leaders at an EU summit provide relief from rising prices and bureaucracy. It made for a dramatic spectacle, creating disruptions and bringing the disgruntled farmersā€™ demands directly to the heart of EU policymaking.

Meanwhile, there were traffic barricades on eight highways around Paris amid a large police presence. Attal announced that France was banning, starting immediately, imports of fruits and vegetables coming from outside the EU that have been treated with the Thiaclopride insecticide ā€” which is currently banned in the 27-member bloc.

Attal also, among other pledges, reaffirmed that the country would remain opposed to the EU signing a free-trade deal with South America's Mercosur trade group.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in