German farmers block access roads over plan to scrap diesel tax breaks

Tractors blocked the B96 federal highway between the island of Rugen and the A20 in Stralsund, Germany (dpa via AP)

Farmers have blocked highway access roads in parts of Germany and gathered for demonstrations, launching a week of protests against a government plan to scrap tax breaks on diesel used in agriculture.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s unpopular three-party coalition infuriated farmers last month by drawing up plans to abolish a car tax exemption for farming vehicles and the diesel tax breaks. The proposals were part of a package to fill a 17 billion euro (£14.6 billion) hole in the 2024 budget.