Dutch Farmers inspired by Canadian Truckers

Dutch Farmers, the world’s most productive, are refusing to comply with government rules intended to reduce consumption of nitrogen-based fertilizers. Image: Twitter

While confrontations between farmers and police in the Netherlands continue to escalate, several of those involved in the protests say they were inspired by the Canadian Freedom Convoy.

Dutch farmer says he and others were inspired by the Canadian Freedom Convoy pic.twitter.com/bkJE43XK9c

— The Counter Signal (@TheCounterSgnl) July 6, 2022

Last week, the Dutch government announced controls on the amounts of nitrogen Farmers are allowed to purchase and use, threatening the crops and viability of thousands of family farms.  In response, Dutch farmers took a page out of the Canadian Freedom Convoy playbook. They took to the highways, blockaded borders, and launched massive protests. 

Canadian journalist Keean Bexte of the Counter Signal has flown to the Netherlands, where he is covering the protests and filing regular stories which can be accessed on the Counter Signal website here. Bexte was first to report that police fired a live bullet which narrowly missed a 16-year old farmer, who was then arrested and imprisoned.

A Canadian farmer interviewed by Road Warrior News, who requested that his name not be used, said without nitrogen-based fertilizers “We are screwed. There is no way farmers can produce without the right fertilizers, at the right time.” He was shocked to learn that Dutch police had fired live bullets at protesting farmers.

“In Holland of all places….you think of Holland as being such a peaceful, happy place. I would never have imagined violence between police and farmers. But then, I didn’t imagine protests in Canada either. Canada and Holland….two of most civilized places on Earth. Wow.”

Dutch farmers lead the globe in productivity and production.