Farmers protest party changes Dutch political landscape
The Farmer–Citizen Movement political party in the Netherlands won 15 out of 75 seats in the Dutch regional elections in March. The shock result has made them the largest political party in the Netherlands.
The party was created in the aftermath of large-scale protests in 2019 against the government’s proposed regulation of nitrogen-based fertiliser, as well as other environmental policies.
The party is also opposed to government plans that will cut nitrogen and ammonia emissions by 50% in the next decade. The government plans to achieve this by buying thousands of farms and drastically reducing the number of domestic livestock.
The regional election results are expected to make it more difficult for the Dutch government to implement the plans at regional levels.
HCC link up with Countryside Classroom
Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) have linked up with UK wide platform Countryside Classroom to provide learning resources to teachers.
HCC have invested in a range of resources aimed at 3-16 year olds to get children learning about where their food comes from, the importance of a balanced diet, and farming and the environment.
The resources that include lesson plans, recipes and activities will now be available in English and Welsh on the HCC’s own platform as well as many on the Countryside Classroom platform which is available to over 12,000 teachers.
Food inflation rising at fastest rate in over 45 years
The prices of food and non-alcoholic drinks rose at the fastest rate in more than 45 years in the 12 months to March 2023.
The annual inflation rate was 19.2%, up from 18.2% in the year to February 2023. It is thought that the rate would have last been higher in August 1977, when it was estimated to be 21.9%.
The largest contributor to the rise in food inflation was bread and cereals, for which average prices rose by 19.4% in the year to March 2023.
There are hopes prices could ease soon, after a drop in global wholesale food prices in recent months.
Additional support for EU countries bordering Ukraine
The EU has confirmed a further €100 million of support to Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria due to the impact of agricultural goods entering the countries from Ukraine. The support follows a €56 million package agreed in March.
Increased imports from Ukraine are causing disruption to national and regional markets in bordering countries with pressure on prices due to oversupply.
The extra support will be funded by the CAP’s agricultural reserve fund.