EU proposes easing environmental rules on farmers to defuse protests

The European Commission proposed on Friday an easing of a series of rules on leaving land fallow or rotating crops, offering concessions to farmers who have protested with tractor blockades across Europe over the past few months. 

The European Union executive said it was sending its proposals to the 27 EU member governments and the European Parliament to reflect on how to improve the position of farmers in the food supply chain.

It said the list of possible actions would be discussed by national agriculture ministers, who are next due to convene in Brussels on March 26.