Block farmers and tractors on the highway: this is what the protest looked like

The government’s nitrogen plans are against the sore leg of most farmers in our province. And that’s not the first time. Under the leadership of the Farmers Defense Force (FDF), the farmers have shown and heard themselves several times in the past. Below you will find some protest actions by farmers in recent years.

Protest at the provincial government in Den Bosch
In October 2019, about two thousand farmers gathered at the provincial government house when the Provincial Council started discussing agricultural policy. This is what that protest looked like.

Unlike thousands of other farmers, the farmers of 'Goed Boeren' were allowed in to tell their story (Photo: Bart Meesters).
Unlike thousands of other farmers, the farmers of ‘Goed Boeren’ were allowed in to tell their story (Photo: Bart Meesters).

ALSO READ: 2000 farmers at the provincial government in Den Bosch, the protest in seven photos

With tractors on the highway to The Hague
A month later, about four hundred tractors drove on the highway to the Malieveld in The Hague. Along the way, more and more farmers joined.

"I knew immediately, we're there"
“I knew immediately, we are there”

ALSO READ: Erik drove along the highway to The Hague with a thousand other farmers: ‘We matter’

This is what the farmers’ protest on the Malieveld looked like:

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‘Block farmers’ at Eindhoven airport
Farmers of the Farmers Defense Force blocked Eindhoven Airport in December 2019. They came en masse to the airport to enforce their demands in the nitrogen discussion. This action made the airport difficult to reach for travelers.

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People have to walk extra, between police cars and tractors, to catch their flight (photo: Noël van Hooft).
People have to walk extra, between police cars and tractors, to catch their flight (photo: Noël van Hooft).

ALSO READ: Travelers duped by farmers protest at Eindhoven Airport, heavy evening rush is not forthcoming

Protest against less protein in animal feed
In the summer of 2020, farmers with tractors drove slowly on the highways during rush hours. That led to a large number of files. Minister of Agriculture Carola Schouten had proposed to include less protein in animal feed in order to reduce nitrogen emissions, but the farmers did not see the point at all.

Farmers bring traffic to a halt on the A2 (photo: Omroep Gelderland).
Farmers bring traffic to a halt on the A2 (photo: Omroep Gelderland).

ALSO READ: Farmers cause traffic jams on A2 towards Den Bosch for hours, also actions in Brabant

No more tractors on the highway
The police have had enough in June 2020 after a few days of demonstrations. Protesting farmers who enter the highway with their tractors risk a fine from now on and have to leave the highway immediately.

Angry farmers blocked parts of the A2 on Friday evening.  Photo: Broadcasting Brabant
Angry farmers blocked parts of the A2 on Friday evening. Photo: Broadcasting Brabant

ALSO READ: Police no longer tolerate tractors on the highway, farmers are immediately fined

Remarkable statements by FDF leader Mark van den Oever
He compared the way the peasants are treated with the persecution of the Jews in World War II: “A small population group that is systematically pushed into a corner and driven from their land.”

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ME blocks driveway to highway
In June 2021, the police prevented farmers from driving onto the highway during their protest against the nitrogen rules. Several driveways were blocked by ME buses. The farmers were thus forced to continue to use provincial roads.

Photo: Bart Meesters/SQ Vision
Photo: Bart Meesters/SQ Vision

ALSO READ: Farmer protest: ME blocks driveway to highway, march continues

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