More than 3,000 farmers and about 700 tractors gathered this Thursday in front of the Czech government building in the center of Prague, where they dumped manure to protest government measures that they say are harming the sector.
“We want a level playing field,” “Save the Czech land,” or “Stop the liquidation of Czech agriculture” were some of the slogans written on banners held by protesters.
The farmers, convened by the Agrarian Chamber and the Agricultural Union, put forward a number of demands, including measures to support rural employment and the abolition of fees levied by the Czech state on European Union (EU) agricultural subsidies.
This is the third time farmers in the Czech Republic have taken to the streets since February to protest against the EU’s so-called Green Deal and Brussels’ excessive bureaucracy in providing subsidies.
Farmers are also demanding that land taxes remain unchanged, contrary to a new plan to consolidate public finances.
Despite several hours of traffic jams near the government building, today’s demonstration was peaceful, with the exception of isolated incidents such as dumping of manure, public channel CT24 reported.
Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborny promised today that the state will support rural employment next year with 80 million euros, based on welfare cuts, in a sector that employs about 100,000 people.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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