farmer’s protest
The proposals of the Flemish government to address the concerns of farmers are given an unsatisfactory rating by farmers. “It will be make or break on Thursday.”
“We expected it to be much more concrete,” says Hendrik Vandamme, chairman of the General Farmers’ Syndicate (ABS), after hours of consultation with the Flemish government. The Flemish government and the agricultural delegations of ABS, Boerenbond and Groene Kring dispersed without an agreement. Farmers and the government could not reach agreement on various points, such as the prices of agricultural land, the new fertilizer action plan and guarantees to quickly conclude a new nitrogen agreement. “The Prime Minister has provided us with an explanation of the points on which there is already consensus within the government,” says Boerenbond chairman Lode Ceyssens. He still sees “insufficient concrete elements”.
The positions of the N-VA and CD&V in particular are still difficult to reconcile. Prime Minister Jan Jambon (N-VA) canceled a working visit to Barcelona and will receive the delegations again on Thursday. By then he hopes to get everyone on the same page. The General Farmers’ Syndicate is considering new actions if the consultations again yield little concrete results. “It will be make or break on Thursday,” said Vandamme.
Many farmers did not wait for the new consultation between the government and the delegations. Via WhatsApp, where farmers’ demonstrations are spontaneously organised, all kinds of plans were circulated on Monday to leave for the port of Antwerp from all provinces. They hope to arrive at 5 o’clock on Tuesday morning. The Antwerp city council is bracing itself for their arrival. Acting mayor Koen Kennis (N-VA) asked the federal government to carry out identity checks on farmers blocking the port.
The farmers have already received legal advice, including from lawyer Walter Damen.
