Dutch Government Plans To Reduce Emissions Leads To Protests
Thousands of farmers have gathered in the central Netherlands to protest against the Dutch government’s plans to rein in emissions of nitrogen oxide and ammonia, driving their tractors across the Netherlands and snarling traffic on major highways.
Wednesday’s protest was organised 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.
Calling it an “unavoidable transition”, the government mandated reductions in emissions of up to 70 percent in many places close to protected nature areas and as high as 95 percent in other places.
The government has been forced to act after courts in recent years began blocking permits for infrastructure and housing projects because the country was missing its emissions targets.
By early afternoon, many protesting farmers had arrived at a green field in the small agricultural village of Stroe, about 70km (45 miles) east of the capital, Amsterdam, 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.
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Farming is a key sector in the Dutch economy, with exports worth nearly 105 billion euros ($110bn) last year. But it comes at a cost of producing polluting gases, despite farmers taking steps to reduce emissions.
Zegwaard said farmers were prepared to talk about how to reduce emissions but objected to the industry shouldering most of the blame.
“Now the agricultural sector is dismissed as a major polluter and that is not right,” he said.
I'm of two minds here: the Dutch farmers have every right to protest their government (especially if they feel unjustifiably targeted) but they also need to show that they can contribute to the economy without hurting the environment.
P.S.: The world's biggest polluter is still the US military.
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