Walloon farmers announce week of protests, starting Monday
Walloon farmers will take to the streets next week, L'Echo and Le Soir write on Wednesday, citing the farmers' organisation Fédération Wallonne de l'Agriculture (FWA). Farmers are protesting against low incomes, complicated legislation and too much red tape.
The week of protests begins on 29 January. "We are not talking about blockades, we are talking about roadblocks," the FWA said. There will be actions in a different Walloon province every day. The intention is "to get people on board, to explain to them that this is an issue that affects them too", FWA president Marianne Streel said.
Two other Walloon farmers' organisations, Fugea and FJA, have been contacted by the FWA but have not yet officially responded. On Tuesday, however, Fugea told L'Echo that it planned to "mobilise soon".
The Walloon farmers are following the example of their European colleagues. In France, farmers have been protesting across the country since last Thursday. They are angry about onerous environmental standards and financial problems. In Germany, farmers protested last week against cuts in fuel subsidies.
A previous protest by the Federation Wallonne de l'Agriculture © BELGA PHOTO MAXIME ASSELBERGHS
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