On Thursday, February 27, farmers in the Czech Republic will take to the streets with their tractors in protest, joining a Europe-wide demonstration against food imports from non-EU countries.
The protest, organized by the Czech Agrarian Chamber and the Czech Agricultural Union, is in response to trade agreements they say threaten local farming.
Farmers are particularly critical of the EU’s trade agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc and the duty-free imports of Ukrainian goods. They argue that these countries’ farmers do not face the same stringent regulations as EU producers, allowing them to sell their products at lower prices. The protesters are calling on Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s government to push for fairer conditions in the European market.
Their demands include the cancellation of the EU-Mercosur trade deal, the creation of a new agreement with Ukraine, stronger market protection measures, and more equal business conditions across Europe.
Jan Doležal, president of the Agrarian Chamber, criticized the agreement with South American countries, saying, “European growers and breeders are required to follow much stricter standards than those elsewhere in the world. Yet at the same time, we are allowing goods from South America into the European market that do not meet these standards.” Farmers also expressed concerns about the influx of cheap Ukrainian grain and oilseeds, fearing it could reduce purchasing prices.
Additionally, farmers are calling for reduced bureaucracy and support for the European Stop Fake Food initiative, which aims to ensure clear labeling of food origins in the European market. The issue of excessive bureaucracy and inadequate state support for domestic production was raised during a recent meeting with Prime Minister Fiala.
“The domestic production sector is losing its position due to excessive bureaucracy and insufficient state support, leading to declining self-sufficiency and growing dependence on imports,” said the Czech Agricultural Union.
