German farmers block roads in nationwide protest over diesel tax plans

German farmers have blocked roads with tractors and trucks as they start a week of protests over plans to scrap tax breaks on diesel.

Police reported problems at locations across the country as vehicles parked up on major routes and slip roads.

The main avenue to Berlin’s Brandenberg Gate was affected on Monday morning, with dozens of tractors parked up in freezing temperatures.

Many vehicles had banners with slogans such as “No farmers, no food, no future”.

The farmers plan to protest for a week and say the government’s plan to end tax breaks on agricultural diesel will put many out of business.

The backlash prompted the coalition to modify its plans last week and the diesel subsidy will now phase out over two years rather than end suddenly.

A plan to abolish a car tax exemption for farming vehicles was also scrapped.

However, farmers’ association DBV called the measures “absolutely insufficient” and is going ahead with this week’s action.

The government plans were part of a package to fill a €17bn (£14.6bn) hole in the annual budget.

Protesters’ actions will be watched closely after a group of farmers was criticised last week for stopping vice chancellor Robert Habeck getting off a ferry as he returned from a personal trip.

There’s also been a warning that far-right groups could try to capitalise on the protests.

Head of the farmers’ association Joachim Rukwied told RBB Inforadio they would make sure “we are not infiltrated”.

Interior minister Nancy Faeser also said authorities were monitoring the situation.

Potential road disruption is set to come on top of a strike by train drivers, scheduled to walk out for nearly three days from Wednesday in a pay-and-hours dispute with the Deutsche Bahn state-owned railway operator.