Last week we have seen in the heart of EU an unprecedented movement of farmers across some of the European countries.
Since the late 70’s with the “mountains of butter and lakes of milk” scandals related to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Europe haven’t seen such an angry force coagulating in the middle of a very delicate international situation. The farmer’s uprising has unveiled a complex interplay of factors that extend beyond the agrarian landscape. Brussel’s politicians woke up in a new and complicate situation. Europe navigate for some years between climate policies and a CAP that drain a huge amount of the EU budget. The protests, marked by tractors blocking highways and riots, echo a broader sentiment of frustration and disillusionment among agricultural communities.
The Human Factor
From the beginning of the EU in its present form (Maastricht Treaty – 1993), the Agricultural Policy was subject to a lot of updates, changes and discontent. Celebrating 30 years of the Treaty, Europe was caught in a corner attempting to enforce stringent environment policies, as the situation with the climate change cannot be overlooked.
In the meantime, farmers perceive these measures as detrimental to their livelihoods. We face two situations related to the human factor.
On the first hand, the bureaucratic personnel of the EU institution has a new kind of experts. In the 80’s and 90’s many of the EU experts were recruited directly from their field of activity, and were well updated with the situation on the ground. In the last two decades, the recruiting process shifted to ensuring the theoretical part of the expert’s activity. Thus, even if the army of Brussel’s experts are well prepared in their field, the lack of connection with the real situation led to measures very little understood by the people.
On the second hand, Europe have seen the longest peace and prosperous period of its history. The nowadays farmers aren’t those who suffer the famines, the war and restrictions. Europeans cling to keep the standard of living they are accustom.
The bad news is that in some extent “the party” is over.
The push for urgent green initiatives clashes with the immediate concerns of farmers, creating a rift that demands nuanced policy solutions.
WAR
Europe is in war, but very few of its leaders would state this situation. It is easy to deny, because we are talking about a new kind of war. Last year Europe have seen a siege, an energy siege, like a citadel. In addition, let us not forget the informational war. The European leadership knows that very well, and knows that Europe isn’t prepared at all. Over the last 70 years, the Europeans based their security on America. Now America is once again very far.
The sovereigntist movement have touched all the democratic countries and if we are looking in the history, it is natural after a long period of “imperial unitary ruling”. People once again think that they could stand alone in the middle of the shifting history.
Suddenly, Germany and other states realize that they don’t have the defending capacity needed and that they must spend a lot of money in the defending industry. So, they have to take money from other sectors, like Agriculture.
High fuel prices have emerged as a catalyst, uniting farmers from France to Romania in a collective outcry against economic strain. The protests are a call for policies that safeguard local agricultural industries, reflecting a broader tension between globalization and the protection of national economic interests.
Farmers argue that the competition from foreign markets, offering products at lower prices, jeopardizes their ability to sustain their livelihoods. However, the huge amount of the EU population want cheap food, cheap products and it is unlikely that they give up of this.
The role of social media in this information war cannot be ignored. Mindboggling theories from rural farms in northern Europe have spread globally through cable TV shows and social media platforms, contributing to the polarization and radicalization of sentiments surrounding the farmers’ cause.
Implications
To address the farmers’ concerns, European leaders must engage in a genuine dialogue, acknowledging the legitimate grievances of the agricultural sector. A holistic approach is required, encompassing economic support, sustainable agricultural policies, and effective communication strategies that rebuild trust between farmers and policymakers. The solution cannot come only from Brussel were the bureaucrats can adjust the laws, but should be understood by the subjects of the EU laws: “the party” is over and the people have to adjust to the new realities and collaborate for a new and updated European political landscape.
Photo by Karsten Würth on Unsplash
