Farmers blocked the A37 at Zwartemeer with tractors tonight with tractors. Protesters got off the tractors and stood on the road or median strip. The road was reopened after more than an hour.
Earlier today, farmers on the A28 protested against the government’s nitrogen plans. At Pesse, about sixty to seventy farmers drove onto the highway in the direction of Assen. In doing so, according to the police, they dangerously circumvented officers who wanted to block the driveway. They eventually left the highway, but with a fine in their pocket, the police said.
Later in the afternoon, a group of farmers gathered in front of waste processing company Attero in Wijster, one of the nitrogen emitters in Drenthe. After a while, the farmers also left this location, so that they can now continue the day of action on the A37 near the German border. The border crossing of the N366 at Ter Apel is also closed by farmers.
Ministers announced earlier today that they would distance themselves from the actions. Farmers are allowed to express their concerns and protest, but they must do so within the limits of the law, emphasized ministers Christianne van der Wal (Nature and Nitrogen), Henk Staghouwer (Agriculture) and Dilan Yesilgöz (Justice and Security). They find today’s actions “not appropriate. Please keep within the bounds of the law”, they call on the protesting farmers.