20,000 tractors block traffic amidst ongoing farmer protests in Germany, warn of more disruptive action to come

Lastly
Fri, 22 Dec 2023 17:07 UTC

© aussiedlerbote.de

A farmer and his family walk past parked tractors.

Over 20,000 tractors gathered on the streets of Stuttgart in Germany to protest against the government's plans to cut diesel subsidies and tax breaks for agricultural vehicles. A video of the tractors stationed in Stuttgart has surfaced on social media.

Over 20,000 tractors gathered on the streets of Stuttgart in Germany to protest against the government's plans to cut diesel subsidies and tax breaks for agricultural vehicles. The German government plans to implement the policy next year as part of Berlin's 2024 austerity measures. A video of the tractors stationed in Stuttgart has surfaced on social media. Farmers have cautioned of an extensive mobilization on January 8 if the government fails to withdraw the proposed measure. Earlier the farmers protested in Berlin against the proposed budget cuts that will directly affect their livelihoods.

Tractors Line Up in Stuttgart Bringing Traffic to Standstill:

Comment: Stern.de reports:

In front of the Ministry of Agriculture, the farmers vented their displeasure with a concert of honking horns and banners reading "The farm is on fire, the traffic lights are on", "Farmer was my dream job" and "Poor Germany! Lets its breadwinners starve".

Agriculture Minister Peter Hauk (CDU) sharply criticized the savings plans of the traffic light coalition in the state parliament on Thursday. A very small part of the population would have to make the lion's share of the savings, said Hauk. "You can't make anyone understand that the very people who ensure our food supply are affected again." Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is not doing justice.

The Vice President of the State Farmers' Association, Jürgen Maurer, demanded: "The Federal Government's proposals must be taken off the table without any ifs and buts." Farmers would not be able to compensate for the resulting competitive disadvantages. "We maintain and preserve the cultivated landscape and implement a high standard of animal welfare. All of these services must be financed so that farming families can make a living," said Maurer according to a press release.

Last Saturday, a demonstration with 160 vehicles had already caused traffic obstructions in Stuttgart city center. On Monday, several thousand participants with hundreds of tractors in Berlin also vented their anger at the austerity plans of the traffic light coalition. Similar demonstrations had also taken place in other federal states.

The federal government wants to abolish the tax concessions for agricultural diesel and also raise the vehicle tax for tractors, combine harvesters and harvesting machines.

France's farmers are also currently involved in their own, low-level, protests, and they, too, are warning that if their grievances aren't addressed then they will be forced to take more disruptive action.

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