AMSTERDAM (Reuters) — Dutch farmers angered by government plans that may require them to use less fertilizer and reduce livestock blocked supermarket distribution hubs in several cities July 4.
Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport and KLM, the Dutch arm of Air France, advised travellers to use public transport, rather than cars, to reach the airport, because farmers’ activist groups said on social media they also planned to use tractors to block roads.
Several traffic jams were reported on highways in the east of the country and on ferry routes in the north, but none near Schiphol during the morning commute.
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At the heart of the protest are targets introduced last month to reduce harmful nitrogen compounds by 2030, the latest attempt to tackle a problem that has plagued the country for years. Â
Reductions are necessary in emissions of nitrogen oxides from farm animal manure and from the use of ammonia in fertilizer, the government says, estimating a 30 percent reduction in the number of livestock is needed.
High-intensity farming of cows, pigs and other animals has made the Netherlands Europe’s leading emitter of the substances. Construction and traffic also contribute.
Dutch and European courts have ordered the Dutch government to address the problem. Farmers say they have been unfairly singled out and have criticised the government’s approach.
The recent protest is widely supported by farmers’ groups but not centrally organised.
Previous rounds of protests have included unruly demonstrations outside the homes of politicians and lawmakers, which drew condemnation from prime minister Mark Rutte and did not increase public support for the cause.
In 2020 the government set a national speed limit of 100 km-h in an attempt to ease emissions.
Construction projects are now routinely delayed due to difficulties obtaining licences covering emission of nitrogen compounds.
