Dutch farmers angry at government plans to slash emissions have ramped up their protests, using tractors and trucks to block major roads and supermarket distribution centres..For weeks, some 40,000 farmers have voiced their displeasure with their government's policies by obstructing roads in the Netherlands. Many farmers have driven slowly along highways or parked their tractors, while others have dumped hay bales onto roads..The farmers now have plans to take to major highways and perform a "slow roll" that will snarl traffic nationwide. Traffic authorities warned motorists to prepare for delays, but said that there were few problems early on Monday for commuters, possibly because many people chose to work from home..The farmers' protest was triggered by a government proposal to cut the country's emissions of pollutants like nitrogen oxide and ammonia by 50% by 2030. Some provinces will need cuts of as much of 95% in emissions in order to comply with European Union rules on reducing nitrogen pollution..In order to reduce emissions of ammonia, farmers will also require a near 30% reduction in the number of livestock..In a statement this month, the government said, "the honest message is that not all farmers can continue their business.".According to Dutch farming lobby group LTO, there are nearly 54,000 agricultural businesses in the Netherlands with exports totalling 94.5 billion euros in 2019. The Netherlands is the world's second largest food exporter..On June 28, tractors gathered around parliament as lawmakers voted on proposals to slash emissions. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the farmers had the right to protest, but not to break the law..“Freedom of speech and the right to demonstrate are a vital part of our democratic society, and I will always defend them," Rutte said. "It is not acceptable to create dangerous situations, it is not acceptable to intimidate officials, we will never accept that.”.Some of the protesters did not heed Rutte's warning, choosing instead to spray manure on and drop hay bales in front of the homes and offices of politicians, and use manure to barricade the Dutch-German border..Several farmers brought their own cows to parliament to protest the policy, and even threatened to slaughter them on the spot..Last month, the Dutch fishermen’s union EMK announced it would join the farmers' protest, arguing the government’s nitrogen policy will prevent ships from fishing off the coast of Holland..Several videos show fishing boats attempting to blockade ports at IJmuiden, Harlingen, and Lauwerszoog.
