Dutch Farmers Protest Budget Plans by Blocking Roads and Railways Across Country
Nationwide Protests Disrupt Transportation and Highlight Farmers' Grievances
By Bart H. Meijer and Charlotte Van Campenhout
Escalation of Protests on Budget Day
AMSTERDAM, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Dutch farmers started fires near highways on Tuesday, disrupting traffic as they protested against the government budget, while saboteurs also tied pipes to railway tracks ahead of the state opening of parliament.
Railway operator ProRail said pipes had been found attached to railways in more than 20 locations early on Tuesday, mainly in rural areas in the middle and the east of the country.
Later, fires erupted around midday in several places alongside highways, forcing authorities to close roads and seriously affecting traffic.
Farmers' Methods and Motivations
The fires were caused by angry farmers who had chosen government budget day to set hay bales and car tires alight, activist group Farmers Defence Force said.
"We feel like the country is on fire. Farmers feel as though their businesses are on fire because of the government's plans", spokesperson Sieta van Keimpema said.
Responsibility for Sabotage
Farmers Defence Force said it was not responsible for the railway sabotage, but added it could not rule out angry farmers had acted individually.
The Dutch intelligence agency AIVD said it was investigating the railway sabotage alongside police and prosecutors. They declined to comment on their investigations.
Government Response and Compensation Promises
PROMISE OF COMPENSATION FOR FARMERS
The government's budget plans for 2027 were set out by King Willem-Alexander as he opened a new session of parliament on Tuesday afternoon.
The budget plans have sparked widespread protests in recent months, including by farmers arguing that they are being unfairly blamed for nitrogen pollution.
In his speech, written by Prime Minister Rob Jetten, the king said it would be "irresponsible" not to tackle the nitrogen issue, even though this could hurt farmers.
The government has promised financial compensation for farmers whose businesses would be hit by plans to restore nature reserves.
Impact on Rail and Road Traffic
ProRail said it was clear that materials discovered on the railways had been placed there deliberately.
"We are therefore now classifying this as sabotage of the railway tracks," ProRail spokesperson Joke van der Cruysen said.
All trains in the vicinity of the track blockages were halted, while there were also serious disruptions elsewhere, including international services to Germany.
The pipes not only disrupted rail travel but also road traffic as several level crossings had to remain closed, ProRail said.
(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout, Bart Meijer and Marta Fiorin; Additional reporting by Christian Kraemer; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Kevin Liffey, Aidan Lewis)
