Farmers take to streets as global unrest mounts

Farmers in Canada are the latest to take to the streets as protests against fertiliser curbs and rising costs gather pace across the globe. 

clock • 2 min read
Farmers take to streets as global unrest mounts

Farmers in Canada are the latest to take to the streets as protests against fertiliser curbs and rising costs gather pace across the globe.

Industry members in Ottawa, as well as across several provincial cities, have become the latest to take direct action against government policy shifts around the world.

Hundreds drove in slow-rolling tractor convoys to highlight not only the plight of Dutch farmers who claim the governments plans to slash emissions will lead to the closure of more than 11,000 farms but also the Canadian Governments plan to reduce nitrogen fertiliser emissions by 30 per cent.

Speaking to Canadas Southern Farm Network, Lyle De Boer from Belleville, Ontario said he was protesting in solidarity with his farming relatives in the Netherlands: The result [of the cap] will be a reduction in livestock... and ultimately that will mean a number of smaller farmers going out of business and big farms producing less food.

Meanwhile in Spain recently, more than 350 tractors blocked the road as Andalusian farmers staged a protest over rising fuel and energy costs.

In Italy, demonstrations against soaring costs have included road blocks in major cities such as Rome and Milan with campaigners holding banners that said: We are not slaves, we are farmers. A gathering of dairy farmers poured thousands of litres of milk outside government buildings in Naples, saying, This is not milk, this is our blood!.

The continued heatwave, which has seen temperatures hit record highs of 44 degrees celcius in France, has also added to the anger among farmers who are now battling to save crops amid severe drought and wildfire fears.

In France, the most severe drought ever recorded in the country has led Prime Minister lisabeth Borne to launch a special government unit tasked with dealing with the crisis. She said in a statement: The exceptional drought we are currently experiencing is depriving many municipalities of water and is a tragedy for our farmers, our ecosystems and biodiversity.

Pure Huntaway1.5 years old

Pure Huntaway1.5 years old

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL BULLS

PEDIGREE SIMMENTAL BULLS

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

Adrefelyn Aberdeen Angus

Adrefelyn Aberdeen Angus

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

More on Farm Business

FG's Ask The Expert: Diversification - what is best for your farm business?

FG's Ask The Expert: Diversification - what is best for your farm business?

In a brand-new monthly series, Farmers Guardian's Ask The Expert, we put your questions to industry experts and get the best insights and advice for your business

clock 24 January 2025 • 1 min read
Tesco provides support to farmers in family farm tax debate

Tesco provides support to farmers in family farm tax debate

The retailer has joined Morrisons, Asda and Booths in calling for a full consultation on changes to Agricultural Property Relief

clock 22 January 2025 • 3 min read
Welsh farm incomes drop 34% in face of 'real challenges' for farmers

Welsh farm incomes drop 34% in face of 'real challenges' for farmers

Dairy incomes for the period April 2023-March 2024 plummeted 59% as milk prices dropped, according to Welsh Government figures

Alex Black
clock 21 January 2025 • 2 min read