Safety boards impose temporary ban on tractor demos

Photo: Molly Quell
A tractor at an earlier protest in The Hague. Photo: Molly Quell

Friesland has joined two other local safety boards in the Netherlands in banning farmers from using tractors in demonstrations in an effort to prevent traffic jams and dangerous situations.

Drenthe and Groningen safety boards had already imposed a week-long ban following last weekend’s blockades by farmers protesting against the latest nitrogen rules, which are set to include a restriction of protein used in cattle feed.

The demonstrations had not been registered in advance, the Friesland safety board said, which made it impossible to make arrangements to make the event safe.The ban will remain in place until next Monday.

On Sunday afternoon a 17-year-old farmer drove his tractor into a group of military police during a demonstration in Eindhoven while a 22- year-old was picked up for dangerous driving and insulting police. The 17-year-old was later charged with attempted manslaughter.

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