Czech, Slovak farmers join neighbours in blocking borders in protest
Source: The DairyNews
Cross-Border Farmer Protests Sweep Across Central Europe in Demand for Agricultural Reforms
Farmers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, and neighboring countries united in a series of border blockades, staging protests to voice their grievances and advocate for changes in European Union policies. The demonstrations, which included blocking key border crossings, were fueled by concerns over excessive bureaucracy, low prices, and challenges posed by the EU's Green Deal climate change initiative.
Protests were widespread, with Czech, Slovak, and Polish farmers converging on border points. The Hodonin-Holic crossing on the Czech-Slovak border witnessed tractor-lined highways as protesters waved national flags and displayed signs urging to "Stop bureaucracy" and "Stop Ukrainian grain."
Vladimir Chovan, a 60-year-old Slovak farmer, emphasized the sector's numerous challenges, citing bureaucracy as the major impediment to competitiveness. Farmers from Hungary also joined the protests, underscoring the cross-border nature of the grievances.
In a joint statement with main farmer organizations from various countries, the Czech Agrarian Chamber stressed the need to address the redefinition of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The statement emphasized the importance of agriculture in ensuring food security, producing quality and safe food, while preserving the economic viability of farmers.
The protests extended beyond border blockades, with farmers leading tractor processions in Bratislava, Slovakia. The discontent with the EU's decision to waive duties on Ukrainian food imports in 2022 sparked anger among Central Europe's farmers, leading to accusations of unfair competition.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced the continuation of a ban on selected farm products from Ukraine, expressing concern over unfair decisions from the European Commission. Farmers argue that the market faces distortions and low prices due to surpluses and the influx of cheap imports, coupled with the burdensome paperwork.
"We are not protesting against the European Union; we are protesting against unfair decisions of the European Commission," stated Andrej Gajdos, Vice-Chairman of the Slovak Agriculture and Food Chamber (SPPK), addressing protesters at the Czech-Slovak border. "We are farmers; we want to work in the field. We don't want to fill out paperwork and sit at the computer."
Protests were widespread, with Czech, Slovak, and Polish farmers converging on border points. The Hodonin-Holic crossing on the Czech-Slovak border witnessed tractor-lined highways as protesters waved national flags and displayed signs urging to "Stop bureaucracy" and "Stop Ukrainian grain."
Vladimir Chovan, a 60-year-old Slovak farmer, emphasized the sector's numerous challenges, citing bureaucracy as the major impediment to competitiveness. Farmers from Hungary also joined the protests, underscoring the cross-border nature of the grievances.
In a joint statement with main farmer organizations from various countries, the Czech Agrarian Chamber stressed the need to address the redefinition of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The statement emphasized the importance of agriculture in ensuring food security, producing quality and safe food, while preserving the economic viability of farmers.
The protests extended beyond border blockades, with farmers leading tractor processions in Bratislava, Slovakia. The discontent with the EU's decision to waive duties on Ukrainian food imports in 2022 sparked anger among Central Europe's farmers, leading to accusations of unfair competition.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced the continuation of a ban on selected farm products from Ukraine, expressing concern over unfair decisions from the European Commission. Farmers argue that the market faces distortions and low prices due to surpluses and the influx of cheap imports, coupled with the burdensome paperwork.
"We are not protesting against the European Union; we are protesting against unfair decisions of the European Commission," stated Andrej Gajdos, Vice-Chairman of the Slovak Agriculture and Food Chamber (SPPK), addressing protesters at the Czech-Slovak border. "We are farmers; we want to work in the field. We don't want to fill out paperwork and sit at the computer."
