08/01/2024 (Agence Europe) – German farmers angry at cuts in tax benefits for their profession blocked many roads across the country on Monday 8 January, kicking off a series of strikes and protests feared by Olaf Scholz's government. The actions, called by the German Farmers’ Union (DBV), follow the government's decision to cut subsidies to the sector. MEP Martin Häusling (Greens/EFA, German) called on the demonstrators to respect the principles of democracy and said that the federal government had taken a major step forward in addressing farmers’ concerns. Farmers and foresters will continue to be exempt from vehicle tax on their machinery, and subsidies for agricultural diesel will be phased out rather than abolished all at once, explains Mr Häusling. (LC)