Belgian farmers are revolting: protests paralyse Belgian highways, sparking widespread disruption

On Sunday evening, a wave of disgruntled Belgian farmers from the Walloon province of Hainaut, descended upon the Brussels ring road, unleashing a tumultuous spectacle that brought major traffic arteries to a grinding halt, as reported by the federal police and the Flemish traffic centre.

The Fédération des Jeunes Agriculteurs (FJA) activists, undeterred by the police presence, expressed their intent to redirect their protest towards the heart of Brussels.

In Ruisbroek, the inner ring road to Waterloo found itself ensnared in the grip of these impassioned farmers, resulting in a complete blockade.

The federal police, mounting a formidable presence on the scene, maintained a watchful eye, though intervention was tactically withheld. A federal police helicopter, hovering overhead, provided an aerial perspective of the unfolding events.

The FJA had forewarned on Sunday evening of their plan to occupy the motorways until Monday morning, setting the stage for a disruptive Monday morning rush hour in and around Halle. The traffic centre issued a stern advisory, urging motorists to circumvent the affected areas during their morning commute.

The Belgian farmers’ fervour extended beyond roadblocks as they targeted a distribution centre belonging to the Colruyt supermarket chain in Halle. Sunday night witnessed a temporary blockade, subsequently diffused by Monday morning, as confirmed by a spokesperson for Colruyt.

As the new week dawned, residual disturbances stemming from the farmers’ protests lingered predominantly in the southern reaches of the country.

Approximately 400 tractors, stationed since Sunday afternoon near the Daussoulx junction where the E411 and E42 intersect, signaled their intent to disperse post-morning rush hour.

In the province of Luxembourg, tractors assembled in a blockade on the N89 at Beaubru, south of Bouillon, marking the border with France.

Hainaut witnessed a parallel incident on the E19 at Feluy, with the section near La Louvière at Houdeng-Goegnies shuttered due to the protests.

At the heart of the farmers’ grievances lies a broader European sentiment, echoing demands for fair prices and less stringent agricultural standards.

The protests in Flanders, Belgium, additionally express discontent with the recently endorsed nitrogen agreement, aimed at curbing nitrogen emissions, which received approval from the Flemish parliament last week.

Over the weekend, similar demonstrations unfolded in Bastogne and Marche-en-Famenne, while Flemish towns such as Turnhout (Antwerp province) and Sint-Truiden (Limburg province) also witnessed protests.

This collective uprising underscores the resonance of agricultural concerns across European nations, uniting farmers in their pursuit of improved economic conditions and a more lenient regulatory environment.

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Read also: European farmers unite in Brussels showdown against EU’s “draconian” environmental policies

“In a resolute display of unity, Belgian farmers and representatives from farming groups across the EU descended upon Brussels on Wednesday, January 24th, to vehemently voice their opposition to what they perceive as the European Union’s relentless assault on agriculture.”

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