WATCH farmers roll out HUNDREDS of tractors in German cities protesting new eco-rules
Disgruntled farmers blocked traffic by driving tractors through German cities in protest of new environmental regulations aimed at protecting birds and insects.
The protests took place in 17 cities across Germany, with the largest rally held in the western city of Bonn, where the Agriculture Ministry HQ is located. Angry farmers rolled out around 1,000 tractors onto the streets, blocking several major roads and bridges.
Tractors drove through other cities as well. Around 200 of them rolled past the iconic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.
#FarmerProtests in Germany...VIDEO: #Bonnpic.twitter.com/NMzJyVxD7J
— Oh boy what a shot (@ohboywhatashot) 22 октября 2019 г.
The farmers fear that the new environmental rules would damage their business. The measures, put forward by the government, limit the use of certain weed killers in order to protect field birds, like Eurasian skylarks, lapwings and partridges, as well as some insects.
In Duitsland blokkeren ze ook de grote snelwegen.Nog steeds veel trekkers die onderweg zijn naar #Bonn.#Landwirte#Traktoren#Bauernprotest#Bauerndemo#boerenpic.twitter.com/w53akqvyxk
— Boeren in Actie (@BoereninActie) 22 октября 2019 г.
The protesters say that small family farms will be hit the most, and demand the government to drop the “farmer-bashing” agenda. “We’re not animal killers and polluters,” the organizers said.
Bonn today pic.twitter.com/6xkod9JHRz
— Lia 🌺🐇🎐 (@moonnbunny) 22 октября 2019 г.
Amid the protests, Environment Minister Svenja Schulze promised to help farmers adapt to the new policy and invited them to discuss how to make their businesses “environmentally friendly.”
Also on rt.com What’s the beef? British farmers rail against Tesco’s VEGAN advert, but supermarkets have been squeezing them for yearsThink your friends would be interested? Share this story!