Dutch Farmers Protest, July 23, 2022

Please note: I don’t speak Dutch, which means videos will have to be what’s available in English.

Ten days ago, some Dutch police were handing out cookies to protesters. Others have been known to fire on demonstrators.

Suggests the extent of the protest

Farmers block the arrival and departure halls at Groningen Airport Eelde in Eelde, the Netherlands, to protest against the government’s far-reaching plans to cut nitrogen emissions on July 6, 2022. (KEES VAN DE VEEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

German farmers in Paderborn and beyond support the Dutch farmers' protest. pic.twitter.com/IOdeA47ALK

— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) July 10, 2022

German farmers express support on July 10, 2022

Farmers take part in a blockade of the A67 near Eindhoven to protest against government plans that may require them to use less fertilizer and reduce livestock at Hapert, on July 4, 2022. (ROB ENGELAAR/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

Dutch farmers protest ‘phenomenally costly’ emission laws, expert calls for ‘balance’ in climate policies

Copenhagen Consensus president Bjorn Lomborg slams Dutch politicians for policies with ‘high consequences,’ and argues such dramatic policies are ‘not the right way forward.’

Gen. Flynn  addresses Amsterdam crowd with message of support

Actor Kevin Sorbo expresses his support for the Go Dutch convoy.

Meanwhile Londoners packed to the rafters today with people protesting the jab.

---

Backgrounder

Dutch farmers form ‘freedom convoys’ to protest government’s strict environmental rules

Emma Colton, Fox News, July 10, 2022

(https://www.foxnews.com/world/dutch-farmers-form-freedom-convoys-protest-governments-strict-environmental-rules)

Excerpt

The Dutch government is aiming to cut nitrogen and ammonia emissions by 50% by 2030 in a bid to improve air, land and water quality. The plans include cutting back on fertilizer used on farms and ratcheting back the number of livestock by an estimated 30%.

The country is one of the largest agricultural producers in the world, exporting roughly $97 billion in 2020 worth of fruit, flowers, vegetables, dairy products and meat.

“If you ask me now, I’d say, please don’t even think about it,” dairy farmer Jaap Zegwaard said of whether he would recommend farming to younger generations. “There are so many worries. Life’s much too beautiful to deal with what’s going on in the agriculture sector at the moment.”

Farmers block the arrival and departure halls at Groningen Airport Eelde in Eelde, the Netherlands, to protest against the government’s far-reaching plans to cut nitrogen emissions on July 6, 2022. (KEES VAN DE VEEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

“Ask the average farmer: it’s profoundly sad,” he said.

Farmers say they are being unfairly targeted by the rules while other industries, such as aviation, construction and transportation, are also contributing to emissions and face fewer rules. Farmers also argued that they have not been provided a clear picture of their futures in light of the reforms.

ANGRY DUTCH FARMERS CLOG UP 700 MILES OF HIGHWAY DURING PROTEST OVER EMISSION RULES

The convoys of tractors are a nod to Canada’s Freedom Convoys, the Guardian reported, which were held across Canada earlier this year to protest the nation’s strict coronavirus vaccine policies.

Fishermen in the Netherlands have also joined the protests, blocking the port in Harlingen with trawlers last week, EuroNews reported.

The demonstrations have become so widespread that Rolling Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger gave a shout-out to the farmers in Dutch during an Amsterdam concert Thursday.

The Dutch protests gained more attention on Tuesday when police opened fire on a 16-year-old farmer driving a tractor in the northern area of the country during a protest. The teenager allegedly moved his tractor toward police, according to German outlet ​​Deutsche Welle. After initially being held on suspicion of attempted manslaughter, the teenager was released without charge. No one was injured during the incident, according to police.

Farmers gather with their vehicles next to a Germany/Netherlands border sign during a protest on the A1 highway, near Rijssen, on June 29, 2022, against the Dutch Government’s nitrogen plans. (VINCENT JANNINK/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

The protests have been predominantly peaceful, with one demonstration about 60 miles east of Amsterdam moving aside from a road to let two funeral processions pass. Farmers at the protest also handed out food and coffee to police officers, the Guardian reported.

The nation’s prime minister, Mark Rutte, has meanwhile slammed the protesters, including calling them “a–holes” in private company, according to the Guardian. 

“It is not acceptable to create dangerous situations. It is not acceptable to intimidate officials,” he said last week.

The protests have been predominantly peaceful, with one demonstration about 60 miles east of Amsterdam moving aside from a road to let two funeral processions pass. Farmers at the protest also handed out food and coffee to police officers, the Guardian reported.

The nation’s prime minister, Mark Rutte, has meanwhile slammed the protesters, including calling them “a–holes” in private company, according to the Guardian.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP

“It is not acceptable to create dangerous situations. It is not acceptable to intimidate officials,” he said last week.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.  

---