Belgium in Brief: The Farmer Who Shrank France

Belgium in Brief: The Farmer Who Shrank France

Borders between countries are a funny thing, especially when they are barely noticeable.

Here in Belgium, you can (normally) cross into neighbouring countries without noticing until you see something you know doesn't belong. A specific shop, a product, a sign, there's always something.

The border, however, is very much still a fixed thing - unless someone moves it.

This slightly odd situation happened on the border with France after a Belgian farmer expanded his country by a little bit.

That's right, a farmer from the Walloon municipality of Erquelinnes has made international headlines after he accidentally moved the French border, making Belgium ever so slightly bigger in the process.

The accidental invasion – by around 7.5ft according to reports – came after the farmer decided to move the 150 kg stone marker, his French neighbour told local media.

Thankfully everyone appears to have taken it in good humour, with the mayor of the temporarily smaller French commune commenting that they should be able to avoid a new border war over this.

The rest of the story is here - and I don't have much to add - so let me know your thoughts  @johnstonjules.

BUT WAIT, one last thing: Want news from The Brussels Times in your inbox every morning? Sign up for The Recap, a free daily newsletter containing all the stories you need to know from the day before. It goes great with your morning coffee. 

Belgium in Brief is a free daily roundup of the top stories to get you through your lunch break conversations. To receive it straight to your inbox every day, sign up below:

1. Group behind “La Boum” planning test event on 15 May in Brussels

"L'Abîme", the group behind organising the unauthorised gatherings in Brussels’ Bois de la Cambre, has planned to hold a “La Boum Test” on May 15 at the same location. Read more.

2. Shipwrecks in the Belgian part of the North Sea to be protected as cultural heritage

Photo by Olga Tsai on Unsplash

Shipwrecks in the Belgian part of the North Sea will be protected as cultural heritage, and the country aims to have a new map intended to help divers explore them by this summer. Read more.

3. Investigation into government contract for free face masks for all

Police at various locations in the EU yesterday carried out search warrants in connection with an investigation into the company that provided 15 million face masks in 2020 for free distribution to the population in Belgium. Read more.

4. New Belgian technique could double chances of IVF pregnancy

© Pixabay

A new technique developed by a start-up around VUB professor Johan Smitz could double the chances of success for couples using IVF to become pregnant, according to a new study. Read More.

5. Belgians abroad can now opt to get vaccinated in Belgium

While Belgians living abroad are normally vaccinated in their country of residence, they can also choose to get vaccinated in Belgium as of June, the Interministerial Health Conference decided on Tuesday. Read More.

6. Pandemic: Belgians ate more fruit & veg in 2020, but still not enough

Belgians consumed more fruit and vegetables in 2020, but the totals are still below those that nutritionists would wish to see, according to a recent poll. Read More.

7. Brussels’ administration working around clock to approve terrace permits before 8 May

The City of Brussels’ Department for Hospitality is working around the clock to process the flood of applications for permits from businesses in the hospitality sector looking to expand their terraces to the public space before reopening on Saturday. Read More.


Copyright © 2024 The Brussels Times. All Rights Reserved.