Mass protests of farmers in Berlin, tractors and other machinery on the streets

(Patria) - A protest by German farmers is being held today in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. More than 10,000 people gathered with trucks and agricultural machinery.

The demonstrations, aimed against the introduction of higher taxes for farmers, were organized by the German Farmers' Association.

According to the German police, "more than 5,000 vehicles", mainly tractors and trucks, are present at the protest, which is an initial estimate as it is still too early to provide more precise data regarding the number of demonstrators.

Around 1,300 police officers are securing the gathering, and their main task is to "escort tractors and trucks in parts of the city where political institutions are located", announced police chief Barbara Slowik.

Meanwhile, German Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir stated that "part of the revenue from the increase in taxes on animal meat could be directed towards better equipping animal housing facilities".