The farmers’ revolt in the Netherlands: Causes and consequences

Abstract

The Netherlands is blessed with abundant water, flat countryside and an openness to trade. This has helped to propel the agricultural sector to be one of the most productive in the world. Dutch farmers are savvy, well-educated and work within strict environmental regulations. What explains, then, the farmers’ revolt that started in 2019? It almost brought the country to its knees, led to the largest post-war electoral shift and started an international movement of farmers. How could such a ubiquitous chemical element, nitrogen, have such a significant effect on farmers, Dutch politics and eventually the biodiversity directive of the European Commission? The revolt led to the strong presence of farmers’ issues in parliament and a new dynamic in the debate about social change in the countryside, agricultural interests and nature protection. This article gives an overview of the events that led up to the farmers’ revolt, its connection with earlier movements and its longer-term ramifications.