On Monday, around 8:30 a.m., approximately three hundred tractors had already congregated as Farmers Protest in the European Quarter of Brussels, as reported by the Brussels police.
Farmers are set to protest at Brussels’ Schuman roundabout, outside the headquarters of the European Commission and the European Council, on Monday. By 8:30 a.m., the farmers were already heavily present in Rue de la Loi, which has been closed off to traffic due to the procession of tractors.
Brussels police deploy water cannon at farmers’ protest.
Additionally, the farmers have spilled a mixture of manure and tires in front of a police barricade at the edge of Schuman Square. “You should milk the cow, not the farmer,” reads a banner hanging from one of the agricultural vehicles.
“There are already about 300 tractors present in the European Quarter. However, hundreds more are likely to join throughout the morning,” stated the Brussels Capital-Ixelles police.
It was noted that some participants of the farming protest had travelle from Italy, as indicated by the presence of yellow flags from the Italian agricultural organisation Coldiretti.
As tensions escalate in Brussels, protesting farmers have resorted to disruptive tactics, including setting off smoke bombs, erecting blockades with car tires, and even vandalising property.
In response to the increasingly hostile atmosphere, law enforcement has taken the unprecedented step of deploying water cannons against the protesting farmers.
Authorities anticipate significant disruptions to traffic and advise commuters to opt for public transportation when travelling to Brussels.
The Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company (MIVB) recommends using metro and pre-metro services, as tramlines are expected to be affected.
The protest, organised by the European organisation Via Campesina (ECVC) along with various Belgian farming associations, aims to voice concerns over EU agricultural policies.
On Monday, hundreds of tractors are expected to converge in Brussels as farmers rally in conjunction with a European summit of agriculture ministers.
The action is spearheaded by the European organization Via Campesina (ECVC), representing small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises.
Representing the Flemish side are the General Farmers’ Syndicate (ABS), Farmers’ Forum, and the United Young Farmers. From Wallonia, prominent farming organisations participating include Fugea, FWA (Walloon Federation of Agriculture), and the young farmers of FJA (Federation of Young Farmers).
The organisations are urging the European Union to withdraw from free trade agreements, such as the one with the Mercosur countries.
The agreement between the EU and Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay is slated for discussion in Brussels on Monday, aiming to facilitate the entry of inexpensive products into each other’s markets.
This move is deemed detrimental to Western European farmers “who have been making significant efforts for years to produce ecological, sustainable, and safe food and are now pressured to produce more cheaply due to this deal,” as stated by independent young farmers.
Furthermore, the participants in the rally are demanding fair prices, comprehensive agricultural and food policies, and an adjustment to the nitrogen decree. Finally, they insist that agricultural land be kept for farming purposes and not be converted into natural reserves or forests.
“The anti-agriculture policies must cease, both for the future of agriculture and for the future of our country and the EU,” assert the independent young farmers.
“We hope that Mrs. Von der Leyen has regained her common sense and realises that the agricultural sector plays a crucial role in the future of Europe.”
Traffic disruptions are expected to persist throughout the day, with closures in Rue de la Loi, Reyerstunnel, and Jubelparktunnel, along with potential congestion in the surrounding streets.
The majority of rally participants in Rue de la Loi began to converge via various access routes from early morning, exacerbating the traffic situation in the Belgian capital.
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Read also: Belgian farmers are revolting: protests paralyse Belgian highways, sparking widespread disruption
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.
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