{"id":151794,"date":"2024-03-18T12:42:57","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T12:42:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/?p=151794"},"modified":"2024-03-18T12:46:04","modified_gmt":"2024-03-18T12:46:04","slug":"protesting-farmers-win-big-concessions-but-eu-leaders-dig-in-their-heels-on-net-zero-climate-target","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/en\/protesting-farmers-win-big-concessions-but-eu-leaders-dig-in-their-heels-on-net-zero-climate-target\/","title":{"rendered":"Protesting Farmers Win Big Concessions, But EU Leaders Dig in Their Heels on Net Zero Climate Target"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following the protests in Brussels by farmers from across the European Union (EU), the European Commission offered some concessions to the agricultural sector \u2014 but said it will not scale back its plan to cut 90% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, Reuters<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n

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The new commission plan drops the requirement to reduce farm-related emissions such as nitrogen, nitrous oxide and methane by one-third and removes the recommendation that EU citizens eat less animal products, The Telegraph<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also offered to drop her proposal requiring farmers to cut pesticide use in half by 2030, saying it had become \u201ca symbol of polarisation<\/em>,\u201d according to The Guardian<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Other concessions included limiting Ukrainian agricultural imports and delaying rules for setting aside more land to promote soil health and biodiversity.<\/p>\n

At the behest of von der Leyen\u2019s center-right European People\u2019s Party, the revised commission plan features language praising the value of the agricultural sector, noting its importance for attaining the EU goal of food sovereignty, wrote Politico<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The compromise comes after weeks of escalating demonstrations by farmers in France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Lithuania and other EU countries against several policies \u2014 from fuel subsidies and unfair trade practices to green emissions rules and taxes \u2014 that they said threaten their livelihoods.<\/p>\n

The farmers argued the climate regulations have singled them out unfairly, imposing a disproportionate burden compared to other industries that also damage the environment, according to the Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Over the past several weeks, tractors in several European cities blocked major highways and city streets \u2014 even an airport \u2014 forcing national governments to the negotiating table before the EU Parliament summit in Brussels.<\/p>\n

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz\u2019s coalition agreed not to eliminate a tax rebate on new agricultural vehicles, and to more gradually phase out subsidies on agricultural diesel fuel.<\/p>\n

In France, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal\u2019s government in January increased subsidies to livestock farmers, withdrew plans for a fuel tax hike, promised to clearly define lab-grown meat, banned the import of food grown with a neonicotinoid pesticide already prohibited in the country and suspended its pesticide-reduction plan.<\/p>\n

Despite concessions, protests continue<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite the concessions already made \u2014 and amid European Commission members releasing statements in support of farmers and their plight \u2014 farmers in multiple European countries continue to protest ahead of the June EU elections.<\/p>\n

Farmers in Spain blocked major roadways in and around major cities in a series of protests, with a farming lobby calling the EU debate a \u201cblame game<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Italian farmers were massing in Rome to protest cheap imports from outside the EU, with banners featuring slogans such as \u201cNo farmer, no food<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Italian farmers head to Rome in tractor convoy as anger spreads
Farmers in Italy and Spain have taken to the streets in the latest round of agricultural protests in Europe. They're protesting against EU climate change regulations and cheap imports from outside the trading bloc.\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/vS5WmGKfCg<\/a><\/p>\n

— Camus (@newstart_2024) February 7, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n