FILE: Farmer protest, Berlin.
On Monday, January 8, thousands of German farmers blocked roads and took to the streets to protest against the cancellation of subsidies for diesel fuel.
A sociological survey conducted by the INSA institute for BILD revealed that 69% of Germany's residents support the farmers' protests. The approval rating for their actions remains high,
despite the fact that the day before, every fifth respondent was affected by road closures.
Among voters of the "Alternative for Germany" party,
88% consider the demonstrations by agricultural workers to be justified, marking a record result among all parties. However, 22% of respondents opposed the roadblocks.
64% of those surveyed expressed sympathy for the farmers who found themselves in a difficult situation. In comparison,
only 11% of Germany's residents show sympathy towards climate activists who block roads.
Comment: Meanwhile Germany's ruling government
enjoys a 17% approval rating. These numbers are reminiscent of the Yellow Vest protests in France, which, for its 2-year-run, enjoyed a similar proportion of support from the public.
Latvia's public broadcaster Eng.LSM.lv
reports:
Latvian, Lithuanian farmers build protest fire
A farmer protest has begun in Lithuania to demand an end to Russian grain transit and to support the struggling dairy farmers. Lithuanian farmers are also concerned about the government's plans to increase the areas of natural meadows at the expense of agricultural land, as well as increase excise duty on gas used in agriculture. Latvian farmers have joined, Latvian Television reported January 8.
Lithuanian farmers lit protest fires on the roadsides on Monday, January 8, and invited Latvian counterparts who have very similar problems to join the campaign.
© Latvian Public BroadcastingLatvia farmer protest Jan, 2024
Farmers in the vicinity of Dobele municipality said that if Lithuania increases excise duty on gas, which is also used in the production of mineral fertilizers, the already expensive mineral fertilizers will be almost at gold price.
"Because we are from the border, what happens in Lithuania will affect us as well. The increase in the price of gas in Lithuania may have an impact on the price of nitrogen. We're concerned about what the price of nitrogen will be in the spring. The burden of bureaucracy is also high for us," said agronomist Anita Lešinska of the farming cooperative "Dāmnieki."
Like Lithuanian farmers, Latvians demand an end to imports of grain from Russia.
"Our ports are full of Russian grain, but we have a grain warehouse just across us, with 600 tons of grain standing, which has not been bought because right now no one accepts it," Lešinska noted.
A fire was also lit a few kilometers away towards Penkule, on the farm "Māliņi".
"Mineral fertilizer costs very much and grains cost nothing. And it's getting to the point we can't make ends meet anymore," said Ainārs Miķelsons, the owner of the farmhouse Māliņi.
When he says 'grain costs nothing', one supposes he means that it is not profitable, or that in his region there's a glut, because elsewhere farmers are complaining of the cost.
The global food supply is already expected to suffer alarming shortages, any further attacks will only worsen what's up ahead:
Farmers feed the world - farmers don't comply with stupid rules
farmers know best!
~
Truckers deliver the farmer's goods
goods delivered on rail
get delivered easy
~
and
farmers
know best!