EU Governments Offer , Concessions Amid Widespread , Farmer Protests.br On February 2, tractors lined up around Greece's br annual Agrotica trade fair to underline farmers' br determination to escalate protests over rising costs.br 'The Independent' reports that similar br protests have taken place across Europe, br with farmers speaking out over inflation, br foreign competition and climate regulations.br In response, national leaders have raced br to offer concessions ahead of the European br Union's parliamentary elections in June.br In Brussels, farmers blocked streets with hundreds of br tractors as protestors burned tires, prompting the br bloc's 27 member nations to hold an emergency summit.br In Brussels, farmers blocked streets with hundreds of br tractors as protestors burned tires, prompting the br bloc's 27 member nations to hold an emergency summit.br The EU's executive commission quickly br announced plans to protect farmers from br cheaper products exported from Ukraine. .br The commission also decided to allow farmers to br continue using some land they had been required br to keep fallow due to environmental regulations.br The commission also decided to allow farmers to br continue using some land they had been required br to keep fallow due to environmental regulations.br I just would like to reassure them br that we do our utmost to listen br to their concerns. I think we are br addressing two very important br (concerns) of them right now, Maros Sefcovic, European Commission br Vice President, via 'The Independent'.br 'The Independent' reports that another protest br in Paris saw farmers dismantle roadblocks and br other barricades despite the French government br promising additional financial support.br In Germany, farmer protests broke out in December br after the government announced that vehicle and fuel br tax exemptions for agriculture would be abolished. .br On February 2, the Greek government br approved a support package that includes br tax rebates, a five-month discount on br electricity, debt relief and food recovery funds.