Hundreds of farmers headed to central Brussels on their tractors on Monday morning to demonstrate against European agricultural policy. The atmosphere in the European Quarter is gloomy. The police are now using water cannons.
On pictures from the British Radio Sky News Farmers can be seen driving past a pile of burning tires, honking their horns loudly. They set off smoke bombs and fireworks, among other things. Reports said that some tractors broke through the police blockade latest news.
According to the Belgian newspaper, there were already at least three hundred tractors in the city center at around 8:30 am. Local authorities expect hundreds of other farmers to come to the Belgian capital later in the day.
There are several European Union buildings in the European Quarter. Farmers believe that the European Commission has not taken concrete measures to address problems in the agricultural sector.
Agriculture ministers will meet in Brussels on Monday
Agriculture ministers from European member states will meet in Brussels on Monday. They discuss, among other things, free trade agreements with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Cheap imports of agricultural and animal products from South American countries constitute a thorn in the side of farmers.
The early morning protest caused significant traffic disruption in and around Brussels. In some places, the delay towards the Belgian capital reaches an hour and a half. Already in the morning the police recommended avoiding the center. Some important traffic tunnels towards the center have been closed.
Police expect major traffic problems on roads leaving the city in the afternoon.
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