Reaction to protests

Survey: Brussels wants to understand farmers better

It is to be hoped that the response rate is very high so that a comprehensive picture can be drawn up.(Bild: romul014 - stock.adobe.com)

Anger about market distortions due to cheap agricultural imports from Ukraine, the expensive consequences of the Green Deal and high bureaucratic costs are playing a major role in the EU-wide farmers' protests. Now that Brussels has already introduced a relaxation of environmental regulations, for example, the EU Commission wants to gain a better understanding of farmers' concerns through an online survey.

The Brussels authority wants to use the survey to find out which adjustments can be made to reduce bureaucracy for farmers, as detailed in a press release. The preliminary results are to be presented in mid-April. Interviews with farmers' associations are also to be organized in order to complete the picture.

Road blockade by French farmers near the border with Spain(Bild: APA/AFP/GAIZKA IROZ)

A clearer picture of the most important bureaucratic problems faced by farmers should then be available by the summer. A more detailed analysis is to be published in the fall. The Commission also intends to present further proposals for measures to improve the position of farmers by mid-March.

Major protests in Austria "not on the horizon"
"Krone" environmental journalist Mark Perry recently said in a krone.tv interview: "The EU is being brought to its knees by angry farmers." On the one hand, he is surprised that things are relatively quiet in Austria. On the other hand, there are "good farmers' representatives", says Perry. The Farmers' Union is in government with the ÖVP. "The last time there were protests from farmers was when the price per kilo for milk fell enormously. The farmers' association had to hold demonstrations in front of supermarkets to give their anger an outlet." Nothing can be ruled out: "But I don't see any major protests on the horizon in Austria."