Polish farmers began blocking a key border crossing into Germany on Sunday. According to the RBB, they blocked it 500 to 700 agricultural vehicles the Polish A2 near the town of Słubice, which directly borders Frankfurt on the Oder. The A 2, which becomes the A 12 in Germany, connects Warsaw and Berlin and is normally used by many trucks, among other things.
More on the topic: EU environmental regulations
Agriculture and environmental protection: Isn’t there a greener way?
Farmer protests: EU Commission wants to withdraw bill for pesticide protection
Farmers’ lobby: The lobby for large companies
“The blockade began as planned at 1 p.m., both lanes of the A2 are blocked,” said a Polish police spokeswoman. The farmers originally wanted to block the border crossing for 25 days. After discussions with the population and local businesses, they abandoned this long-term project. The blockade will “probably be lifted again on Monday,” said protest co-organizer Dariusz Wrobel.
Europe-wide farmers’ protests
Polish farmers view the EU’s current environmental regulations as “unacceptable”. With the blockade, they are also protesting against the import of agricultural products from third countries that do not meet EU requirements.
Farmers across Europe have been protesting for weeks against EU environmental regulations and for protection from competition from third countries. On Monday, EU agriculture ministers will discuss possible reforms in Brussels. The agenda for the meeting in Brussels includes discussions on “rapid and structural responses to the current crisis in the agricultural sector”. Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) is taking part in the meeting on behalf of the federal government.
Newsletter © ZEIT ONLINE
The money newsletter
By registering you take the Data protection
to note.
Thank you! We have sent you an email.
Check your mailbox and confirm your newsletter subscription.
At the meeting in Brussels, the top politicians will, among other things, discuss proposals from the EU Commission on how farmers can be further relieved. After intense – and sometimes violent – protests by European farmers, politicians have come under increasing pressure. In many EU countries, farmers are on the streets to protest against, among other things, EU trade agreements, bureaucracy and environmental regulations. Various agricultural organizations also called for protests on Monday. Police and transport companies expect significant disruptions in the Belgian capital.
After the EU Commission had already given in to farmers’ demands and initiated easing measures, it presented further plans for relief on Thursday. Among other things, companies should only be inspected by national authorities half as often as before. In addition, certain standards that are intended to ensure the good agricultural and ecological condition of areas are to be simplified. Farmers must comply with these standards in order to benefit from EU agricultural subsidies worth billions. The EU states are now called upon to take a position on the proposals.
Polish farmers began blocking a key border crossing into Germany on Sunday. According to the RBB, they blocked it 500 to 700 agricultural vehicles the Polish A2 near the town of Słubice, which directly borders Frankfurt on the Oder. The A 2, which becomes the A 12 in Germany, connects Warsaw and Berlin and is normally used by many trucks, among other things.
“The blockade began as planned at 1 p.m., both lanes of the A2 are blocked,” said a Polish police spokeswoman. The farmers originally wanted to block the border crossing for 25 days. After discussions with the population and local businesses, they abandoned this long-term project. The blockade will “probably be lifted again on Monday,” said protest co-organizer Dariusz Wrobel.