New Zealand farmers’ demands are unrealistic – but they are suffering and deserve support | Philip McKibbin

Our society is changing and farmers are dealing with the most difficult aspects of it

• New Zealand farmers stage huge protest over environmental rules

On Friday, tractors crawled through cities and towns across New Zealand, in a planned demonstration against environmental regulations. The Howl of a Protest", organised by the rural grassroots organisation Groundswell, involved thousands of people.

I live in central Auckland - the most urban of urban centres - and I sympathise with farmers. They are clearly in pain, and understandably so. The changes they are being forced to make will affect not only their businesses, but also their lifestyles and traditions.