In contrast, Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, has described them as “a——-” in private and publicly raised questions about their right to protest.
“It is not acceptable to create dangerous situations. It is not acceptable to intimidate employees,” he said last week.
Back in Eerbeek, where demonstrators blockaded an industrial area where 113 businesses are based, Mr Rutte was accused of going into hiding and refusing to negotiate with farmers.
“Where is our Prime Minister? This country is on fire and the farmers are defying the government,” said an English-speaking spokesman as he gave a hastily arranged news conference from atop a hay bale.
“Their rules and regulations don’t seem to be political. The rules and regulations are ‘scientific’ and you cannot go against that,” they added.
“We’re saying that the rules and regulations in this country need to be political again, a discussion and a choice.”
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