Hundreds of tractors block downtown Prague as farmers protest EU agriculture policies

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Bill Wirtz warns American farmers about government regulation: This should be a ‘key focus’

Luxembourg writer and commentator Bill Wirtz shares advice for U.S. farmers after German farmers protest government regulations.

• Hundreds of tractors blocked a downtown lane in Prague on Monday in a farmers’ protest against European Union agriculture policies.
• Similar protests against EU policies have occurred across the bloc in recent weeks.
• The European Commission has made some concessions, such as shelving plans to halve the use of pesticides.

Hundreds of tractors blocked a lane in downtown Prague in a farmers’ protest Monday over European Union agriculture policies and what they said were unfair practises.

Major organizations representing Czech farmers didn’t participate and distanced themselves from the rally after it turned out some organizers were behind recent pro-Russian demonstrations.

Traffic was not halted but City Hall warned people not to drive to Prague on Monday.

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The protesters were planning to hand Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborny a letter with their demands. They particularly target the EU’s Green Deal, which calls for limits on the use of chemicals and on greenhouse gas emissions and want the country out of it. Some demanded the government’s resignation.

Farmers with tractors stand on a street in the center of the Czech capital during a demonstration in Prague on Feb. 19, 2024. (Ondrej Deml/CTK via AP)

Other farmers groups said they planned separate demonstrations on Thursday with counterparts from neighboring and other countries.

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Similar protests have taken place across the bloc in recent weeks. Farmers complain that the 27-nation EU’s policies on the environment and other matters are a financial burden and make their products more expensive than non-EU imports.

The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, has made some concessions over the last few weeks, including shelving plans to halve the use of pesticides and other dangerous substances. Nonetheless, the protests have spread.