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An aerial view shows rows of tractors blocking the street as thousands of German farmers demonstrate along the 17 Juni street and Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Picture: Collected[/caption]
GFMM desk: Thousands of German farmers descended on Berlin from the countryside with their tractors on November 26, 2019, gathering at the capital's landmark Brandenburg Gate and blocking traffic in protest against the German government's agricultural policies.
About 10,000 farmers with 5,000 tractors drove into the city, with the first 1,800 heavy vehicles arriving from the surrounding state of Brandenburg before dawn.
The farmers claim new environmental limits being planned are overly restrictive and that the government is making it impossible for domestic agriculture to compete against imports, among other things.
'7.5 billion people; 200 million can feed themselves as hunters and gatherers. The rest need farmers,' read one banner, while others simply stated: 'No farmers, no food' and 'we fill you up'.
The tractors gathered in the heart of the capital, blocking wide areas of the city with slow-moving convoys on the way in with a plan to cause more disruptions on their way out at rush hour.
Brandenburg police reported two accidents caused by cars trying to pass the lines of tractors on their way in to the city.
Farmers' leaders say the government should work with them and conservation groups to find ways to protect the environment while preserving the competitiveness of farms.
Greenpeace, an environmentalist, criticized both sides, saying that Agriculture Minister Julia Kloeckner was trying to put a burden on consumers that they need to make more money for their food, while farmers also need to help fight climate change and species extinction.
"Farms need clear and reliable guidance and targeted recommendations," said Stephanie Toewe, an agricultural expert at Greenpeace. "Then they will have the ability to work so that water, animals and the climate are protected."
See more pictures of the protest on the ‘Gallery’ page.
Source: Online/SZK
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