Farmers in Estonia are planning protests against unequal competition conditions in the EU, while Latvian farmers remain concerned about future policies.
On March 19, farmers in Estonia are set to stage protests in response to perceived inequalities in competition within the EU, focusing on discussions surrounding the next EU multiannual budget from 2028 to 2034 and the ongoing inequality in agricultural direct payments. They have highlighted that over the past 20 years, producers in Estonia have faced weaker investment opportunities and developmental conditions compared to many other EU member states, which has significant implications for the industry’s competitiveness and the national food security. In Latvia, the representative of the Farmers' Parliament, Valters Zelčs, explained that local farmers are currently not planning any protests but are apprehensive about the decisions that may arise after the upcoming elections, indicating a lack of confidence in political outcomes. The looming discussions over the impact of external factors, such as the war in Iran, are expected to complicate agricultural policies and discussions significantly over the next year and a half.
