The farmers had blockaded access to a waste processing company in Wijster (Midden-Drenthe)
Police in the province of Drenthe today arrested dozens of farmers during a protest, which involved blocked access to a waste processing company in Wijster, near Hoogeveen.
Police said there were dozens of agricultural vehicles on the road. To prevent more from coming, officers had closed access roads. As reported by nu.nl
A new ban was brought in for the provinces of Groningen, Friesland, and Drenthe this week, which stops protesters from using heavy agricultural machines.
Farmers are currently allegedly protesting due to a cattle feed measure (stopping the use of artificially protein-rich feed) announced by Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality). As of 1 September, the maximum permitted amount of protein in concentrates for cows will decrease, because the extra protein causes higher ammonia emissions (which contain nitrogen). The Dutch landscape has some of the highest nitrogen pollution in Europe, with various organisations previously saying that it is beginning to impact upon protected natural areas.
Demonstrations have already been held in several places this and last week. Several ‘safety regions’, including those in Drenthe, believe that the congestion resulting from the farmers’ protests could lead to dangerous situations on the roads.
Image via Wikimedia user Dickelbers. License here.
