Czech, Slovak farmers join neighbours in blocking borders in protest

Farmers gather during a protest against the European Union's agricultural policies, grievances shared by farmers across Europe, at the Czech-Slovak border near Holic, Slovakia, February 22, 2024. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa

HOLIC, Slovakia (Reuters) -Farmers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and elsewhere staged protests along Czech borders on Thursday, blocking some crossings as they demanded less bureaucracy and changes to European Union policies.

Farmers across Europe have been stepping up protests this year, including in Poland, France, Germany, Spain and Italy, complaining of low prices and high costs, cheap imports and constraints from the EU's Green Deal climate change initiative.