A wave of protests by Dutch farmers erupted over an environmental regulations proposal that seeks to cut nitrogen oxide and ammonia emissions by up to 95% by 2030 (1), with the government prepared to impose mandatory purchases of farms if necessary in order to achieve these goals (2). This initiative comes after the Dutch government was forced to shelve several billion-euro infrastructure and construction projects over emissions concerns (3), and threatens the survival of up to 30% of Holland’s livestock farmers—incidentally, perfectly serving the WEF’s goal of replacing real meat consumption with “soya products, or perhaps insects or artificial meat” as part of their Agenda 2030 (4).
Dutch farmers expressed chagrin at the negative stereotype circulating of "animal abusers and environment polluters” (5), as well as being repeatedly (6) expected to bear the load of emissions reduction over other polluting industries such as aviation, construction, and transport (7). In some areas, protesters were met with police gunfire (8). The protests have spread to other parts of Europe as the sector struggles under the weight of government policies (9) amidst rising inflation, shortages, and difficult weather conditions (10).
German farmers have questioned why their government isn’t putting more resources towards bioenergy development, which amidst the energy shortages Europe is facing, could have the potential of “killing two birds with one stone” (11). Other possible approaches could be incentivizing farmers to implement regenerative farming practices and provide funding for increasing biodiversity (12).
It seems some (13), however, haven’t yet grasped that industrial farming is what’s primarily problematic to the effect agriculture has on the climate issue (14), and risk repeating yesterday’s errors with a newly-fixated mediums (15), while ignoring suitable solutions that don’t fit the “meat=bad” narrative (16).
The dangers of overly ambitious ESG laws can be seen playing out in Sri Lanka, which has decimated its economy, causing a surge in inflation with food prices rising as much as 80% (17). The economic devastation ignited a wave of social unrest which saw tens of thousands of protesters storming the presidential residence, causing its president to flee the country (18).
References
Thousands of Dutch farmers block roads in protest against emissions targets
Cattle herd to be cut by 30% over next decade to meet nitrogen targets
Dutch shelve billion-euro projects as EU nitrogen rules bite
Dutch Farmers Are Protesting Against a Globalist, Communist Agenda: Eva Vlaardingerbroek
Why farmers' protests that kicked off in The Netherlands are spreading across Europe
Europe’s farmers revolt has just begun – more countries join in
"We Are Not Slaves": Farmers In Italy, Spain, & Poland Join Dutch Protests
Dutch firm prepares to open world's first insect farming school
Farming insects may solve one problem but create others, scientists warn
‘Complete Collapse’: Here’s How ESG Destroyed One Nation’s Economy
Sri Lanka president flees country amid political, economic crisis