Dutch farmers up in arms over pollution cuts plan

Dutch farmers are embroiled in a summer of discontent that shows no sign of abating. They are demonstrating government plans to rein in emissions of nitrogen oxide and ammonia that they say threatens to wreck their way of life.

The government aims to slash nitrogen emissions by 50% by 2030 and has earmarked an extra 24.3 billion euros to fund the necessary changes.

The plans provoked nationwide protests by angry farmers who believe they are unfeasible and threaten their livelihood. They held mass demonstrations and blocked highways with their tractors.