Sustainability Corner: The modern European farmer’s revolt
In December 2019, the European Parliament approved the European Green Deal. This deal is described by the European Union (EU) as, “a package of policy initiatives, which aims to set the EU on the path to a green transition, with the ultimate goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050.” Some of the changes this program seeks to achieve include clean energy, creating sustainable emissions—from industry, agriculture, and residential use alike—better building infrastructure, preserving biodiversity, creating alternative energy sources, and financing research on the progression of climate change.
The deal has been continuing as promised, but solely on European soil; across the world, these regulations do not apply. This has allowed European countries to import products from the global market without having to apply restrictions to how these products are created. Additionally, regulations continue to accelerate against agriculture farmers as the EU approaches its first deadline of 2030: “Reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55%....” In a CNN report, one such farmer, Emmanuel Mathé, said, “We’re subject to enormous constraints and there are products coming in from outside Europe, that compete with us without having to apply the same rules that we’re obliged to in order to produce.”
As a result, these individuals feel they have had no say in the decisions being made directly about them, and the government is exploiting its own regulation. European farmers have taken to the streets over the last months to protest, using equipment like tractors, industrial manure spreaders, and dump carts to make their voices heard. They asked for a repeal of the current Green Deal objectives, or at least a postponement. In recent weeks, the EU has begun to listen as they are no longer able to ignore the overwhelming civil outcry.
Many European countries like France, Berlin, and Greece have begun to repeal former legislation to accommodate their farmers, implementing things such as the annual support of French farmers—now given annually in the form of 162 million dollars and safeguarded by imported crops—or Greece offering diesel tax rebates. This has also caused the EU to “scrap… a goal to cut farming emissions out of its 2040 climate roadmap, and has also withdrawn a law to reduce pesticides and delayed a target for farmers to leave some land fallow to improve biodiversity.”
Whether you look at this issue through the lens of sustainability or the economy, one thing cannot be misconstrued in this ordeal: The end goal of these farmers is not to remain perpetual in their harmful routines, but to be able to maintain financial security and livelihood, and, at the moment, that’s only achievable through unsustainable means. As stated by one farmer, “We are not against climate policies. But we know that in order to do the transition, we need higher prices for products because it costs more to produce in an ecological way."
There is an outcry amongst farmers and activists for more sustainable farming practices, but integrating these facilities is grossly more costly than its unsustainable counterparts. This has created an environment where the average farmer feels that by 2050, their way of living will be unviable, and they will be phased out by overseas industry. The source of this issue comes back to the industries and government, and specifically, their refusal to account for or aid individuals affected by legislation like the Green Deal until recently, as the EU is being advised to rethink their agenda.
It may be crucial to stay informed and updated on this issue that may change the future of Europe’s Deal and its previously outlined plan of becoming “carbon neutral” by 2050. Not only that but let this serve as an example and reminder of the power of the people’s collective voice: If there is an issue with the choices the government makes, there is a right to act—especially against those in power.