European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen blamed Russia and climate change for the problems European striking farmers are experiencing, according to an official website of the European Union.
Farmers are the first in line feeling the effects of climate change. Droughts and floods have destroyed their harvests and threatened livestock. Farmers are feeling the impact of the Russian war.
Von der Leyen acknowledged that “issues have escalated in recent years,” noting that agriculture needs to move to a more sustainable production model if their farms are to remain profitable in the coming years.
In order to address the problem, the President of the European Commission launched the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture in the European Union.
“We have invited a broad scope of representatives of the farming sector, the young farmers, the rural communities, the seed and fertiliser industry, the food sector, the processing sector, but also the financial sector, the cooperative banking sector, the consumers and environmental groups, and of course science.”
Von der Leyen stated that “60-70 per cent of soils in Europe are now in poor condition,” noting that many farmers are struggling to reverse these “trends.” She added that farmers are experiencing the impact of the war in Ukraine through inflation, rising energy and fertiliser costs.
The months ahead will not be easy (…) We need to avoid the blame game and find solutions for problems together.
Waves of farmer protests have been taking place across Europe in recent weeks. Workers in the agricultural sector are demanding a review of import policies from Ukraine and the cancellation of the Mercosur deal, as both issues will result in the economic collapse of farmers across the European Union.
