German farmers are angry over new policies enacted by the government, but not everyone is united. There are two groups in protest over two different policies.
Farmers
On one hand thousands of farmers are protesting in many major cities over new environmental laws that they say are crippling their business.
Largest protest was seen in Bann which is home to agricultural ministry. Farmers drove their tractors out of the farms and on the roads, they all banded together and formed a 10 kilometer convoy.
What caused all this is a ban on weed killer called glyphosat. It is used to kill weeds, especially annual broadleaf weeds and grasses that compete with crops. In addition to this there are also tighter controls on slurry and fertilizer. Farmers say that these measures are too sharp too sudden and it will put them out of business.
Germany have lost 16% of its farm business in 10 years between 2007 and 2017. The German farmers association says that this declining trend can be seen throughout the western Europe. Farmers say that they are fed up of being labeled as the bad guys in the climate change movement.
Climate Activists
On the other end there are people who are protesting against the government for not doing enough to save the environment. But instead of blocking the roads, they are fighting the government in court of law.
Germany planned to bring down emissions by 40% by 2020 compared to 1990, but it failed to deliver on this target and reduced emissions by 31%.
The courts ruled that these targets are not legally binding.
Both parties are digging their heels in the ground. Farmers vs climate activists and the government sandwiched in-between them. Both groups claim that government has failed them.
