A rally of at least 3,500 people gathered in the centre of Berlin on Saturday to oppose the current agricultural policy of the German government.
The protest was organised by the “We’re fed up” alliance and started in the afternoon between the Chancellor’s office and the Reichstag. The organisers of the event expect up to 10,000 participants to join the rally.
The protesters’ main demands include the introduction of legislation that would compensate farmers for their costs, as well as providing funding for animal welfare and environmental initiatives. Unlike last year’s events, participants have decided not to use tractors to prevent the potential spread of foot-and-mouth disease.
The demonstration is taking place against the backdrop of the international Green Week fair, which is one of the largest food and agriculture fairs, as well as a conference of agriculture ministers, with German Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir in attendance.
Earlier, BFMTV reported that French farmers blocked a section of the highway on the border with Spain during a protest. The protesters drove 50 tractors and blocked road traffic.
