Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte urged farmers on Thursday to end their "life-threatening" protests against government environmental plans after several roads were blocked by fires and manure.

Angry farmers have resumed their protests after a break of several weeks, demanding an end to government plans to cut nitrogen emissions by reducing livestock and closing some farms.

Several key roads in the central and eastern Netherlands were blocked on Wednesday and Thursday after farmers dumped manure and garbage and lit fires by roadsides.

"The protests by a small group of farmers on highways yesterday and this morning are unacceptable. Wilfully endangering others, damaging our infrastructure and threatening people who help clean up is beyond all limits," Rutte said on Twitter.

"These life-threatening actions must stop. There are plenty of other ways to express your dissatisfaction legally."

The Netherlands, the world's second-largest agricultural exporter, is one of the top greenhouse gas emitters in Europe -- especially of nitrogen -- with much of this blamed on cattle-produced manure and fertiliser.

Dutch farmers say they are being unfairly targeted as opposed to big business and industry, with many vowing to resist any plans to scale down or close farms.

The government plans would involve around 30 percent less cattle, Dutch media say.

The farmers have gained some public support, with people in several areas hanging Dutch flags upside down from street lamps and road bridges, a symbol of the protest.

They have also become a cause celebre for right-wingers internationally, with former US president Donald Trump last week hailing them for "courageously opposing the climate tyranny of the Dutch government".

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has also backed them.

Tractor-driving farmers blocked roads and supermarket depots during a series of protests in the Netherlands in June.

Related Links
Farming Today - Suppliers and Technology

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Turf wars stall Ireland's green agenda
Carragh, Ireland (AFP) July 24, 2022
In the aftermath of the hottest day in Ireland for more than 130 years this week, small family groups picked their way across the Bog of Allen in the country's midlands collecting sun-dried turf. The briquettes of peat, which are liquorice black when hewn wet from the ground, had turned a toasted brown in the soaring July temperatures and were ready to be stored and burnt as winter fuel. But the bog, like others across Ireland, has become a frontline in a struggle to cut carbon emissions and con ... read more