EU Governments Offer , Concessions Amid Widespread , Farmer Protests.<br />On February 2, tractors lined up around Greece's <br />annual Agrotica trade fair to underline farmers' <br />determination to escalate protests over rising costs.<br />'The Independent' reports that similar <br />protests have taken place across Europe, <br />with farmers speaking out over inflation, <br />foreign competition and climate regulations.<br />In response, national leaders have raced <br />to offer concessions ahead of the European <br />Union's parliamentary elections in June.<br />In Brussels, farmers blocked streets with hundreds of <br />tractors as protestors burned tires, prompting the <br />bloc's 27 member nations to hold an emergency summit.<br />In Brussels, farmers blocked streets with hundreds of <br />tractors as protestors burned tires, prompting the <br />bloc's 27 member nations to hold an emergency summit.<br />The EU's executive commission quickly <br />announced plans to protect farmers from <br />cheaper products exported from Ukraine. .<br />The commission also decided to allow farmers to <br />continue using some land they had been required <br />to keep fallow due to environmental regulations.<br />The commission also decided to allow farmers to <br />continue using some land they had been required <br />to keep fallow due to environmental regulations.<br />I just would like to reassure them <br />that we do our utmost to listen <br />to their concerns. I think we are <br />addressing two very important <br />(concerns) of them right now, Maros Sefcovic, European Commission <br />Vice President, via 'The Independent'.<br />'The Independent' reports that another protest <br />in Paris saw farmers dismantle roadblocks and <br />other barricades despite the French government <br />promising additional financial support.<br />In Germany, farmer protests broke out in December <br />after the government announced that vehicle and fuel <br />tax exemptions for agriculture would be abolished. .<br />On February 2, the Greek government <br />approved a support package that includes <br />tax rebates, a five-month discount on <br />electricity, debt relief and food recovery funds.
