About forty tractors will be equipped with farmer’s handkerchiefs, reversed Dutch flags and texts against nitrogen policy on the Markt in Maastricht on Saturday. The trekkers left earlier this afternoon from MVV stadium De Geusselt and drove through the city to the Markt, near the town hall. One tractor is on the Vrijthof, where André Rieu is giving a concert on Saturday evening. According to a spokesperson for the security region, the vehicle will remain there for the entire concert.
During Rieu concerts, the Market is normally the parking place for the many buses with music lovers, who come from far and wide to attend the concert of the violinist and his orchestra. According to the spokesperson, the tractors do not stand in the way of those buses. They are parked on the side of the square. “There is enough space for the buses,” said the spokesman.
It is a public-friendly action by the farmers, who are making a statement against the government’s nitrogen policy. “An action at André Rieu, a beautiful place, because a lot of people come to it,” said farmer Stan Wolfhagen. “I think we can bring it to the attention in this way. We want to continue to exist. We want to be able to continue farming, as we have always done.” According to him, the action was discussed in advance with Rieu, the municipality and the police.
Texts such as “Te Koop, Van der Wal makelaardij” and “Can I still remain a farmer?” adorn the tractors. The farmers can count on the necessary sympathy, it turned out in Maastricht. “When I look at all the thumbs up here and all the support, we actually agree,” said farmer René Rademaker. He explained what the farmers are doing on the Market: “It is a cry for help: will someone listen to us and look for good solutions together.”
The farmers say they will stay on the Market until 8.30 pm. “When André Rieu starts, we’ll make sure we’re gone, so that no one is bothered by it,” said Wolfhagen. The concert of Rieu starts at 9 p.m.