Farmers protest with tractor hedge in Ghent-Wevelgem

According to the Boerenbond and the ABS, the General Farmers Syndicate, the Flemish plans to reduce nitrogen emissions by 2030 are detrimental to farmers in Heuvelland. For example, 30 percent of the pig population must disappear to reduce the negative impact of nitrogen on people and nature. The farmers claim that they will have to stop a large part of the agricultural activities as a result of those efforts. That is why they were making noise with 200 tractors between Dranouter and Kemmel.

Killing chord

If they don’t go bankrupt, farmers will have to make big investments to comply with the rules. Bert Hanssens of the Boerenbond Heuvelland was present at the protest to “indicate that it is a killer agreement for Flemish agriculture and specifically for Heuvelland.” The union denounces the uncertainty and is concerned about mental problems among the farmers. Still somewhat unclear, farmers are warning that food production could be compromised.

Young farmers

In Dranouter and Kemmel they focus on Brussels. They offer their common sense to think along with the Flemish politicians for more reasonable solutions. The activists demand legal certainty and perspective for the future of young farmers. For farms, the agreement also comes on top of the already strict European habitat guidelines in the region.