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Video length: 9 min
Correspondent. Is Europe’s fault?
Correspondent. Is Europe’s fault? – (SPECIAL SUBJECT / FRANCE 2)
Is Europe at the origin of farmers’ woes? While the agricultural protest now extends to around ten countries, “Special Envoy” went to the Netherlands and Germany.
The Dutch government’s objective is a revolution in the Netherlands, the European Union’s leading meat exporter: its herd reduction project worries the entire agri-food sector. Responsible for 60% of nitrogen emissions, farmers feel unfairly stigmatized.
If the project is completed, the whole country will be shaken: for the Dutch authorities, tackling these emissions is a national priority. A Ministry of Nature and Nitrogen was even created, with Christianne van der Wal-Zeggelink at its head. According to her, “the Netherlands has no other choice, because our nature is under great pressure“But in the face of protest, the fragile government coalition has already announced that it was going to “soften” its nitrogen project and would not meet its environmental objectives.
Brussels under pressure
In Düsseldorf, Germany, Loïc de La Mornais went to the regional ministry of agriculture, where farmers have been demonstrating for several months, and to a farm. German farmers are fighting against European regulations on compulsory fallows, but also against a reform of the taxation of agricultural diesel as well as the surveillance and administrative constraints to which they are subject.
A report by Loïc de La Mornais, Christophe Kenck, Louis Lagabbe, Michel Leray and Ali Farhat broadcast in “Envoyéspecial” on February 1, 2024.
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