Pig, dairy farmers rally as EU ag ministers meet
This Monday promises to be an exciting day for European agriculture as the European Union’s agricultural ministers meet in Brussels in an attempt to deal with the growing crisis amongst farmers.
Farmers from all over Europe and from all different disciplines are are expected to show up in Europe’s capital Brussels with tractors, to make sure that the momentum is not lost and to keep the pressure on the politicians to solve their problems. More than 1,000 tractors are expected to slow traffic in Brussels subtantially.
Combination of high supplies and low demand
Key of the problems are low prices, predominantly in the pig and dairy sectors, caused by a combination of high supplies and low demand – the latter related to Russia not buying products from the EU for geopolitical reasons. The producers’ demands: lower production figures and higher prices.
Fear of TTIP destroying European farming
Another reason why some farmers are fearful is the intended Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), a proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and the United States. There is strong fear that the money will go there where taxes are lower and labour cheaper.
It is unclear whether the politicians will be able to reach an agreement.
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