Hundreds of farmers left for De Bilt today to protest against Minister Carola Schouten's agricultural policy. Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN) calls it bad that the farmers are hitting transport companies with their protests. "That is unacceptable," said president Elisabeth Post.
Farmers will compulsorily leave their tractors at home today. Agricultural vehicles are not welcome on public roads in the province of Utrecht. In protest against this measure, activists are driving their cars 'as fast as tractors'. On the A7 towards Lelystad, a procession drove at a pace of 50 kilometres per hour this morning. On the A28, activists were stopped and fined for driving too slowly, endangering road safety.
'Drivers cannot work from home'
The Farmers Defence Force called on people to work from home as much as possible today, but did not take into account other entrepreneurs, TLN argues. "Our drivers and transporters earn their money professionally on the road, they do not have the luxury of working at home," said Post. "Many have been hit hard three times in recent times: after the PFAS and nitrogen issues, the corona crisis struck. For government schemes, a sizable portion were ineligible. Surely it cannot be that they in particular are now being duped again by these demonstrations."
Putting other entrepreneurs in harm's way
The TLN president says he understands the position of the agricultural sector. "Of course, I understand very well that farmers also stand up for their livelihood, but it cannot be the intention that in doing so they drive other entrepreneurs into the wheels. By blocking roads or businesses with tractors, they hit our transport companies, which have already been hit hard by the economic crisis and which, moreover, are on the road for all of us. That is unacceptable."
Post thinks transport entrepreneurs should be able to drive from A to B unhindered. "We absolutely do not want to deny anyone the right to demonstrate, but if, in this time of economic malaise, actions come at the expense of fellow entrepreneurs, I really get up in arms. If this also endangers the supply of the Netherlands, I think the security regions should intervene."
Image: Nancy Beijersbergen / Shutterstock.com
