Dutch farmers' protests

The Dutch farmers' protests are a series of protests by farmers in the Netherlands. The protests started in October 2019 and have continued in later years. Farmers are protesting against government plans to reduce nitrogen pollution.

 Reason for the protests 
The Dutch government and European Union (EU) want to lower nitrogen emissions. These emissions mainly come from animal manure and fertilizers used in farming. The government plans to cut emissions by 50% before 2030 to protect nature and follow EU rules.

To do this, the government said that some farms may need to reduce the number of animals they keep. In some cases, farms may be bought by the government and closed down. Many farmers feel this is unfair and say it will hurt their businesses and way of life.

 How farmers protest 
Farmers have used tractors to block highways, city streets, and government buildings. Some protests also happened at the homes of politicians. In later protests, some farmers lit fires, threw manure, and caused damage to public places. Police have sometimes used tear gas and water cannons to stop protests.

 Public and political response 
Many Dutch people support the farmers, but others worry about the damage and traffic problems caused by the protests. The protests have led to the creation of a new political party, the Farmer–Citizen Movement (BoerBurgerBeweging, BBB). This party supports farmers' rights and became very popular in the 2023 Dutch provincial elections.

 What farmers want 
Farmers say they want:
 Fair treatment from the government
 Clear rules for the future
 A good price for their products
 Respect for their work

 References 

 Related pages 
 Nitrogen cycle

Category:2019 in the Netherlands
Category:2020 in the Netherlands
Category:2021 in the Netherlands
Category:2022 in the Netherlands
Category:2023 in the Netherlands
Category:2024 in the Netherlands
Category:2020s in the Netherlands
Category:2019 protests
Category:2020 protests
Category:2021 protests
Category:2022 protests
Category:2023 protests
Category:2024 protests
Category:2020s protests
Category:Agrarian politics
Category:Agriculture in the Netherlands
Category:Dutch farmers
Category:Protests in the Netherlands