Farmers are paralyzing Europe, there are shortages of goods in supermarkets

 Protests by farmers are growing across Europe, expressing dissatisfaction with various problems affecting their lives and work. Across the European Union, from France to Belgium, farmers are expressing their concerns about low prices for agricultural products, high energy, fertilizer and transport costs, and stringent environmental regulations.

These protests are also a reaction to competition from cheap imports, including from Ukraine, which farmers see as unfair competition that puts pressure on European prices while failing to meet environmental standards imposed on EU farmers.

In Belgium, farmers inspired by protests in France blocked access roads to the container port of Zeebrugge, the country's second-largest port, planning to maintain the blockade for at least 36 hours. This blockade was intended to emphasize that the port receives economic support at the expense of farmers. Belgian farmers also blocked a square in the center of Brussels, announcing that they would remain there at least until Thursday, when a summit of EU leaders will be held in the city.

In response to growing tensions, the European Commission has presented proposals aimed at limiting agricultural imports from Ukraine and relaxing some green regulations. But the announcements did not stop many farmers from Belgium and elsewhere who drove tractors into the center of Brussels ahead of Thursday's meeting, scheduled to coincide with an EU leaders' summit​​.

These protests reflect the frustration of farmers who say they are not paid enough, are stifled by taxes and green regulations, and face unfair competition from abroad. The French government responded to the protests by abandoning plans to gradually reduce subsidies for agricultural diesel and promising to ease environmental regulations​​​​.

In the context of these events, farmers in other European countries, including Germany, are also expressing their dissatisfaction, underlining the widespread nature of the agricultural crisis in Europe. These protests come just months before the European Parliament elections in June, where the right wing, for which farmers are a growing supporter, is anticipating gains​​.