Protesting farmers broke through a police barrier near the home of nitrogen minister Christianne van der Wal (VVD) late on Tuesday evening, the police reported. on Twitter†
A police car was pushed aside and destroyed, so that tractors could drive into the street. A slurry tank has also been emptied. The police speak of “an imminent and unacceptable situation”.
Also read: Police action against farmers’ actions is nationally coordinated
The situation became so threatening that officers had to choose for their own safety, the Gelderland police later informed the ANP news agency. As a result, they were unable to intervene immediately. The minister was not at home herself, but the rest of her family was.
On Monday, the police placed a security post at the home of the minister. More than two weeks ago, on the day Van der Wal presented her nitrogen plans, there were protests at her house for the first time. Also on Monday evening, after a long day of protests on highways, the Media Park and at town halls, activist farmers already reported to the minister’s house.
Party chairman Jan Paternotte of D66 wants an emergency debate on the farmers’ protests this Wednesday. “What will the cabinet do against the aggression of threatening farmers?” he writes on Twitter†
‘Despair in pure form’
Action group Farmers Defense Force speaks to ANP of “despair in pure form” among farmers, but says it is not involved in the actions at the minister’s house.
Also read: Nitrogen reduction means a radical redesign of farmland
Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Tuesday that intimidating and dangerous protest actions by farmers are “not acceptable” and Minister Van der Wal herself said that she is starting to find the protests “really intense”.
Earlier this month, Christianne van der Wal and her colleague minister Henk Staghouwer (Agriculture, ChristenUnie) presented the government’s plans to significantly reduce nitrogen emissions in the Netherlands. This has far-reaching consequences for many farmers.