Amidst the bustling agricultural landscape of Europe, farmers are taking to the streets in record numbers, staging protests against new environmental regulations, subsidy cuts, and the influx of cheap agricultural imports. According to global risk data firm Verisk Maplecroft, over 4,000 protests have been organized by farmers this year alone, marking a striking 300% increase compared to the previous year.

The European Union, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than half by 2030, has adopted stricter agricultural policies to combat climate change. Farmers are now required to adhere to crop rotations monitored by satellites and surveillance cameras in space, as well as GPS-enabled tractors to ensure compliance. Any discrepancies in land usage or improper farming practices prompt alerts from an app that farmers must download.

Anthony Lee, the owner of a family farm in Lower Saxony, Germany and a candidate in the upcoming European Parliament elections, expressed concern over what he perceives as an ever-increasing state intervention on his land. Lee represents a German farmers' association that has been at the forefront of organizing farmer protests, now calling for a return of decision-making powers to those who work the land.

The surge in farmer protests has not been without its share of violence, as demonstrated by events in Brussels earlier this year. In a display of frustration, farmers pelted police with beets and sprayed liquid manure before authorities responded with tear gas and water cannons. The demonstrations have extended beyond protests against environmental regulations, with farmers complaining about low produce prices and unfair competition from foreign agricultural imports that do not meet the same level of requirements.

As the European Union prepares for parliamentary elections this week, surveys and analysts predict a political shift towards right-leaning parties. Farmers, a vocal and influential group, may hold significant sway in shaping the electoral outcome. Consequently, as a concession to the protesting farmers, the EU has weakened or suspended some proposed agricultural policies.

Alan Matthews, a retired professor of European agricultural policy at Trinity College in Dublin, warns that farmers are being burdened with additional responsibilities that go beyond their traditional roles. They are being asked to become part ecologist, part nature conservationist, with obligations to monitor and mitigate their impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

Agriculture accounts for 10% of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane and nitrous oxide, according to the European Commission. It is clear that balancing environmental concerns with the livelihoods of farmers is a complex task for policy-makers, and the current wave of protests highlights the growing tension between economic and environmental concerns.

The shift in political focus away from a green agenda has alarmed environmentalists. Michael Bloss, a German member of the EU Parliament for the Green Party, criticizes the stalling of climate change policies to appease protesting farmers, emphasizing that the environmental sector has not been adequately regulated in terms of climate change. Bloss places blame on major retailers who offer insufficient prices for farmers' produce, rather than the Greens.

While farmers find alternative sources of income, such as tourism ventures on their land, many are concerned that the Green Party's policies will lead to the demise of small-scale farming businesses. Farmers like Anthony Lee are using platforms like YouTube to amplify their grievances, gaining millions of views and attracting media attention.

As the European Parliament elections approach, the surge in farmer protests could signal a shift in political sentiment. With the pendulum swinging away from environmental policies in the draft of the EU's strategic agenda, a focus on competitiveness, trade issues, and sovereignty may become dominant themes. The question now remains as to how the EU will reconcile the demands of farmers with its commitment to combat climate change and build a sustainable Europe.

Esme Nicholson reporting from Berlin contributed to this article.