Farmers in Spain and Poland took to the streets on Friday in ongoing protests against European Union (EU) farming policies. The demonstrations aimed to draw attention to the challenges faced by farmers, including rising production costs, reduced profits, and unfair competition from non-EU countries. Similar protests have been witnessed across other EU member states in recent weeks, with farmers expressing dissatisfaction with the bloc's environmental and other policies that they claim burden them financially and make their products more expensive compared to imports from non-EU nations.
While the European Commission, the EU's executive branch, has made some concessions to farmers in the past few weeks, such as postponing plans to halve the use of pesticides and dangerous substances, the protests have continued to spread. In Poland, farmers specifically voiced their anger over the influx of cheap grain, milk, and other produce from Ukraine. They took to the streets with tractors, disrupting traffic and blocking major roads, displaying signs that read 'EU Policy is Ruining Polish Farmers.' Adrian Wawrzyniak, spokesman for the Solidarity Union of Individual Farmers, stated that prices of Ukraine grain have fallen by 40% in 2023 due to overflowing storage warehouses. Polish farmers also face reduced demand for sugar, milk, and meat, hampering their ability to invest and expand their businesses.
Additionally, EU farmers are concerned about the impact of the EU's Green Deal, which aims to limit the use of chemicals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While the objectives of the Green Deal are admirable, farmers worry that it will lead to a decrease in production and income. Further exacerbating their concerns is the EU's requirement for 4% of farmland to be dedicated to biodiversity and landscape protection, which some farmers believe will have a negative effect on their overall output.
Spain also witnessed similar protests by farmers, marking the fourth consecutive day of demonstrations. Spanish farmers assert that a law aimed at ensuring fair prices from major supermarket buyers for their products is not being effectively enforced, while consumer prices continue to rise. The protests mainly took place in the northern cities of Oviedo, Pamplona, and Zaragoza, with tractors causing traffic disruptions on various city streets and commuter roads. In several locations, farmers maintained their protests overnight.
In a separate development, a group not associated with Spain's three main farming organizations has called on farmers to converge on Madrid for a Saturday protest near the headquarters of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's Socialist party. These protests are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with a major demonstration planned in the capital on February 21.
It is worth noting that several Spanish media reports have linked some of these protests to conservative and hard-right groups. The protests have prompted arrests, with police reporting that 20 people have been detained during this week's demonstrations.
The ongoing protests highlight the deep concerns and frustrations of farmers within the EU regarding agricultural policies and their impact on their livelihoods. Farmers are demanding a fairer playing field, protection from unfair competition, and policies that support their sustainability and profitability. As the demonstrations persist, it remains to be seen how the EU will respond to the grievances of its farmers and address the complex challenges facing the agricultural sector.
