AUGUST 5, 2022:
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Representatives of Dutch farmers are meeting with Prime Minister Mark Rutte and other Cabinet ministers to discuss the government’s nitrogen emissions reduction goals that have sparked disruptive protests in recent weeks. But the prospect of a breakthrough appeared slim Friday (Aug. 5, 2022) with two main activist farmers’ organizations demanding concessions and not attending because they have no trust in the veteran politician appointed to act as intermediary. Rutte did not comment to reporters as he entered the meeting in the central city of Utrecht. Farmers angry at the target of slashing nitrogen emissions 50% by 2030 have blockaded supermarket distribution centers, parked tractors on highways and dumped garbage including manure and asbestos on roads in recent weeks.
JUNE 29, 2022:
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch prime minister has condemned a violent protest by farmers outside the home of the country’s agriculture minister. A small group of farmers clashed Tuesday night (June 28, 2022) with police stationed outside the minister’s home and spread manure on a nearby street. At another protest, farmers attacked a police car. The demonstrations are part of increasingly bold actions against a government plans to rein in pollution. A proposal approved by lawmakers Tuesday seeks to reduce emissions of pollutants like nitrogen oxide and ammonia by 50% by 2030. Farmers also have torched bails of hay near roads and blocked highways with tractors. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Wednesday: “You can demonstrate, but in a civilized way.”
JUNE 22, 2022:
STROE, Netherlands (AP) — Thousands of farmers are gathering in the central Netherlands to protest against the Dutch government’s plans to rein in emissions of nitrogen oxide and ammonia. They drove their tractors across the country early Wednesday (June 22, 2022), snarling traffic on major highways. The protest was organized earlier this month after the government published nationwide targets for reducing emissions, sparking anger from farmers who claim their livelihoods — and those of thousands of people who work in the agricultural service industry — are on the line. By late morning, many had arrived at the demonstration, where a stage was set up for speakers to address the crowd and music blared out of speakers while children bounced in a giant inflatable pig.
JUNE 10, 2022:
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch government has unveiled goals to drastically reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides to protect the environment. The plan will lead to major upheavals in the Netherlands’ multibillion dollar agriculture industry and has already angered some farmers. The government on Friday (June 10, 2022) mandated reductions in emissions in coming years of up to 70% in many places close to protected nature areas and as high as 95% in other places. It called the move “unavoidable” and earmarked an extra 24.3 billion euros ($25.6 billion) to finance changes that will likely require many farmers to reduce their livestock or get rid of them altogether. An organization that represents 35,000 farmers, called the goals “unrealistic.”
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