Almost one month after the first farmers' protest brought much of Brussels to a halt, some 900 tractors returned to the European capital on Monday for a new demonstration.
Hundreds of tractors are again taking over the streets of Brussels' EU Quarter, with some even entering the historic Grand Place, on the occasion of the European agriculture ministers' summit. According to the official police count, approximately 900 tractors are currently in the capital.
For several weeks now, the farmers have been campaigning, including against falling incomes and overly strict European environmental rules. They also oppose the free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries – a treaty between the EU and Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay – which will be discussed at the summit today.
While the morning started in relative peace as the police deployed more officers in the European Quarter, at critical points and entrance roads to make sure everything was calm, loud horns could soon be heard and the first smoke bombs were being set off not much later.
Some farmers also managed to break through a riot police blockade at the intersection of Avenue d'Auderghem and Rue Belliard to make their way towards Schuman Square.
Police officers were bombarded with dung, little bombs and oranges, shredded straw bales and tractor tyres were set on fire, and farmers also pelted one of the European institutions' buildings with eggs.
Following a number of videos and photos of the farmers breaking through the blockades posted to social media, many have questioned why farmers are seemingly allowed to protest so aggressively. They also denounced the double standards in political reactions, pointing out that politicians were a lot quicker to condemn climate protestors, for example.
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