35,000 Farmers Protest in the Netherlands
Listen to the story
Around 35,000 farmers have taken to the streets across the Netherlands in a large protest against the government.
The farmers used road blockades to stop traffic in many parts of the country.
They are angry about government plans to cut emissions from farms.
Emissions are gases released by farming, such as from animals and fertilisers.
The government wants to reduce these emissions to help protect the environment.
However, many farmers say the new rules will hurt their businesses and way of life.
They believe the government is not thinking about the effect on ordinary farming families.
The demonstrations took place on major roads, causing delays for other travellers.
Farmers say they will continue to protest until the government listens to their concerns.
This is not the first time Dutch farmers have protested against emission rules.
In the past, similar protests have caused disruption across the country.
The government has not announced any changes to its emission plans so far.
It remains unclear how long the protests will continue.
Farmers say they want a fair solution that protects both their jobs and the environment.
Vocabulary10 words
- protest
- a public action to show anger about something
- road blockades
- when roads are closed so cars cannot pass
- emissions
- gases released into the air, often harmful
- government
- the group that runs a country
- reduce
- to make something smaller or less
- demonstrations
- public events where people show their opinions
- disruption
- when something normal is stopped or delayed
- concerns
- worries or problems people talk about
- environment
- nature and the world around us
- fair
- right and equal for everyone
Quiz
Answer key
1. 35,000 2. They oppose emission cut rules 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Around 35,000 farmers have taken to the streets across the Netherlands in a large _____ against the government.
The farmers used road _____ to stop traffic in many parts of the country.
They are angry about government plans to cut _____ from farms.
Emissions are gases released by farming, such as from animals and _____.
The government wants to _____ these emissions to help protect the environment.
However, many farmers say the new rules will hurt their _____ and way of life.
The _____ took place on major roads, causing delays for other travellers.
Farmers say they will continue to protest until the government listens to their _____.
This is not the first time Dutch farmers have protested against emission _____.
The government has not announced any changes to its emission plans _____.