At a meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Brussels, hundreds of farmers protested, sometimes violently, against the Union’s agricultural policy. A total of 900 tractors are blocking roads in the EU district, as the Belga news agency reports, citing the police. Farmers set tires on fire, poured manure onto the streets, and pyrotechnics were directed at police officers. The officers use water cannons. In addition to loud honking, smaller explosions can also be heard from time to time.
Police set up numerous roadblocks around the EU institutions. Some farmers managed to break through barriers with their tractors, as Belga reports. Accordingly, police officers were also pelted with manure and sometimes had to retreat. Two subway stations in the EU district were closed. There are numerous traffic disruptions in the Belgian capital.
Farmers have also announced protests in Madrid. Around 5,000 farmers are expected in front of the headquarters of the European Commission representation in the afternoon.
Farmers in numerous EU countries have been on the streets for a long time to protest against, among other things, EU trade agreements, bureaucracy and environmental regulations. The EU Commission had already reacted to this and promised easing. At the meeting of the agriculture ministers, proposals from the Brussels authority will be discussed.
