(Adnkronos) – The march through the streets of Brussels by thousands of farmers from all over Europe to protest against European agricultural policy was broken up following unrest and clashes. Shortly after its start, around 12:30 PM near the Gare du Nord, the demonstration escalated into violence near the European Parliament.
Initially, protesters threw potatoes and beets at police officers, who responded with water cannons and tear gas. The situation then further deteriorated, with stones, smoke bombs, and fireworks being thrown at the Parliament buildings. Tractors were also seen uprooting trees in the square. Journalists on site reported verbal assaults by some protesters, who also threw objects at television crews. Passers-by were also hit.
The protest coincides with the EU summit in Brussels. Farmers oppose the proposed free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. European farmers fear unfair competition if the agreement is signed. However, the demonstrations go beyond mere opposition to the trade agreement. Farmers are also protesting against European regulations which, they say, make investments and licenses more difficult, as well as against proposals for reforming the EU’s multiannual budget, under which agricultural spending would be reduced by more than a fifth. “European politicians may say that agriculture is of strategic importance, but their policies do not reflect this. We are not asking for words, but for actions,” said a speaker before the march.
