Italian Farmers Rally in Rome with Tractor Convoy
Italian Farmers Continue Protests Against Agricultural Policies and Price Increases
Italian farmers continue to rally against agricultural policies and price increases in the sector, with protests taking place across the country. The EU’s “Green Deal” program and its impact on the agricultural industry has been a focal point for the protests, which have seen farmers mobilizing with their tractors in various regions of Italy.
In a show of solidarity, farmers from Tuscany and other parts of the country have formed a convoy with their tractors and are making their way towards Rome. It is anticipated that the farmers will reach the borders of Rome in the coming days, where they plan to hold the largest protest in recent weeks.
While the farmers have expressed their intent to not enter the center of the capital with their tractors, they have stated their plans to protest in the outskirts of Rome. According to reports from the Italian newspaper La Stampa, a farmer emphasized that their protest will not be short-lived, saying, “We will surround Rome. We will not do this only with tractors and for a few days.”
The protests have also gained attention from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who, following the EU Leaders Summit in Brussels, criticized the agricultural policies of the EU and called for necessary changes to be made.
The protests in Italy are part of a larger trend of farmer action across Europe, with countries such as Germany, France, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, and Hungary also experiencing similar demonstrations. Among the common issues voiced by farmers are nature restoration targets, cuts in support payments, high energy, fuel, and fertilizer costs resulting from the Russia-Ukraine War, and water-saving measures.
Farmers in Europe have been utilizing various tactics to express their grievances, including pouring mud or fertilizer in front of public institutions and blocking roads. The strict rules on the use of carbon fertilizers and pesticides within the scope of the EU’s Green Deal have been particularly criticized by European farmers.
In addition, specific concerns such as the import of cheap Ukrainian grain and increasing fuel prices have come to the forefront in countries like Poland, Romania, and France, respectively. Overall, the protests reflect a unified stance against the challenges faced by farmers in the current agricultural landscape.
