ER Editor: We’re running a twofer from Zerohedge re. the Netherlands and France and the energy crunch. We warn against Zerohedge’s MSM feel on these kinds of topics, which takes its reporting from globalist rags Bloomberg and FT.
We believe that this is an entirely manufactured crisis, again to make over 500 million taxpayers shell out even more than they have already done in billions for fake ‘vaccines’, tests and masks, loss of employment and personal assets through illegal lockdown, etc. It’s basically a continuation of the ’emergency’ psychology to continue the massive transfer of wealth up to the top, this time through energy usage, which leaves people like sitting ducks in the winter months. The demand for energy should be pretty much like it is for any normal fall. The first Zerohedge piece uses the ‘blame Russia’ card, for which no evidence has so far been presented:
Europe is struggling to respond to the energy crunch as natgas prices soared again after Russia unexpectedly cut supplies. The continent is not sufficiently stocked ahead of the winter, which suggests the energy crisis will continue.
Nord Stream II pipeline was completed during SEPTEMBER. Now Germany has decided to WAIT until January to even MAKE THE DECISION as to whether Nord Stream II gets its licence. Of course it will, but why manipulate this situation in such a way unless you are deliberately creating the problem. Funny that Zerohedge doesn’t bother to mention that. See
Skyrocketing Energy Prices Could Cripple Europe’s Economy, Yet Nordstream Is Now Finished …
Cutting food supplies within Europe and forcing some food growers out of business is simply a continuation of the Agenda 21 plan to force farmers off the land into ‘smart’ stack’n pack cities, which has been happening in various EU countries, including the Netherlands, for years. We remind readers of a story we ran just last month of the blatant tyranny over farmland and farmers in this country:
Total Insanity: Dutch Cabinet Plans to Take Farms from Farmers to “Combat Global Warming”
There is evidence elsewhere on the French political landscape that Macron’s crew do believe they might get re-elected next spring, such is the level of delusion or scheming among these people. They are hated with a passion in France, but the options are globalist lite or globalist heavy. And Marine Le Pen has clearly gone as far as she can go. If they do get back in, it will be by some narrow margin through mass abstention, a split vote, or those useful Dominion voting machines. It certainly won’t be because of popularity.
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Dutch Greenhouses Go Dark As Energy Crisis Worsens; Food Inflation Fears Mount For Europe
Soaring European gas and electricity prices are getting worse by the day, forcing a vast network of Dutch glasshouses, the largest on the continent, to limit output or go entirely dark, according to Bloomberg. This could have a devastating impact on food supplies and boost prices ahead of the holiday season.
The Netherlands has become an agricultural giant and is the world’s second-largest exporter of food by value, primarily thanks to its 25,000 acres of greenhouses that supply Europe with vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes and bell peppers, and flowers. In 2020, Dutch exports of greenhouse-produced farm products amounted to $10.7 billion, but this year could be much less as expensive natgas and power prices result in some operations to go dark.
Cindy van Rijswick, a senior analyst at Rabobank, said the hyperinflation in European gas and electricity prices is having a “massive impact” on greenhouses and has forced some producers to reduce lighting, end the growing season early, or plant in spring when natgas prices subside.
“These are drastic measures that reduce production and yield and have major economic consequences for the companies,” according to industry association Glastuinbouw Nederland. “We cannot rule out whether consumers will also pay more for their vegetables, flowers and plants.”
One Maasdijk-based tomato grower, called Lans, which produces 80 million pounds of vegetables per year, has already reduced output. Erwin van der Lans, the company’s operational director, said energy bills have dramatically increased, and greenhouse capacity is running at 50%-80%.
“Eventually, you will produce less,” said Lans. “That is starting now. Our production is now cut by about 10%, that may go to 20%. Eventually, the customers little by little will start paying more.”
A flower business called Marcel van der Lugt of Lugt Lisianthus said power prices have quadrupled and raised costs by 20%-25%. Flowers are exported to Germany, France, and Russia.
Europe is struggling to respond to the energy crunch as natgas prices soared again after Russia unexpectedly cut supplies. (ER: A claim for which there is zero proof.) The continent is not sufficiently stocked ahead of the winter, which suggests the energy crisis will continue. (ER: So why not licence Nord Stream II BEFORE January?)
More importantly, the energy crisis has so far impacted the food supply chain from UK fertilizer plants to Dutch glasshouses is adding to food inflation as global food prices are already at decade highs. There is very little central bankers can do besides tweeting or making statements in mainstream media to calm everyone down that soaring inflation is nothing more than “transitory.”
Source
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France Begins “Price Protection” Measures To Shield Consumers From Soaring Energy Prices
French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced several “price protection” measures to counter rising natural gas and electricity prices to thwart discontent ahead of the presidential election, according to FT.
“We’re going to introduce what I would call a tariff shield for gas and electricity,” Castex said during a televised speech on Thursday evening.
“We are going to protect ourselves from these price increases.”
He said any new natgas tariffs following Friday’s scheduled 12.6% hike would be postponed until prices decrease in late March/April, adding that it will shield 5 million households who are on floating-rate contracts.
Castex said the French government would lower taxes on power prices, capping the scheduled increase in residential electricity tariffs at 4% in February.
With natural natgas and electricity prices poised to keep climbing as cooler weather is just ahead, France’s energy policy has a social element to it to thwart social discontent for President Emmanuel Macron until after the election.
“No further price rises after October 1 until a drop in global prices, expected in March or April,” Castex said.
French consumers have been somewhat protected from soaring energy prices affecting much of Europe and Asia because 70% of the country’s power is sourced from nuclear plants. (ER: And historically Macron promised to reduce France’s nuclear power capacity!) Nonetheless, there’s a segment of the country that relies on fossil fuel generation.
Regarding the tariff cap, Castex said natgas suppliers would be compensated for any losses. He said commodity experts believe natgas prices to “strongly” decline by spring. At the moment, European natgas prices are through the roof as supplies remain tight. Dutch natgas futures surged to 100 euros Friday as Russian natgas flows into Europe collapsed.
For French President Emmanuel Macron, the European energy crisis couldn’t have come at the worst time as the presidential election is slated for April. The president doesn’t need any more social unrest as protesters weekly have been seen marching on the streets, demonstrating against COVID restrictions and vaccine passports. (ER: So Zerohedge, Macron could drop the COVID restrictions and all illegal vaccine requirements, couldn’t he?)
So the energy policy in play is to mitigate rising power costs to keep Macron in power. How long until the government starts compensating people for meals as food prices hover around decade highs?
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Published to The Liberty Beacon from EuropeReloaded.com
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