Furious farmers light BONFIRE outside EU HQ as fury over Brussels' crippling policies erupts
Angry farmers have lit a bonfire outside the EU Parliament
Reuters
Furious Belgian farmers have lit a bonfire outside the EU headquarters, as the row over better working conditions and pay for agricultural workers across Europe continues.
The farmers stormed the Belgian capital, armed with firecrackers, and lit a large bonfire outside the European Parliament, ahead of an EU summit due to take place later today.
The summit is supposed to be focused on providing financial aid for Ukraine, however, the plight of the farmers is likely to be added to the agenda too.
Police with riot gear are now descending on the EU HQ.
VOTE NOW: Has Europe had enough of the EU as farmers rise up against Brussels?
The protest comes ahead of an EU summit where the leaders are set to discuss an aid package to Ukraine
Reuters
One tractor displayed a banner saying "If you love the earth, support those who manage it", whilst another read: "No farmers, no food."
Tractors and farmers have filled the square in Brussels, with protesters lighting firecrackers and throwing eggs at the EU HQ.
Police estimate around 1,000 tractors have joined in on the blockade.
One protestor, Ken Bertens, a farmer just outside of Brussels, said: "If you see with how many people we are here today, and if you see it's all over Europe, so you must have hope. We must have hope that these people see that farming is necessary. It's the food, you know."
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Police estimate around 1,000 tractors have joined in on the blockade on the EU Parliament
Reuters
The Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Cross said he would address the issue during the summit on Thursday.
Farmers across the continent are staging protests against their governments, demanding better working conditions. Many struggle financially and say their jobs are threatened as food retailers are trying to bring down prices after a period of high inflation.
The protests began in France and have since spread to Belgium, Italy, Spain and Portugal, with all saying that they are not being paid enough, are being choked by taxes and green rules, and face unfair competition from abroad.
Belgian and French farmers have now teamed up, blocking crossing points between the two countries.
People protest outside the European Union headquarters as Belgian farmers use their tractors to block the headquarters
Reuters
Many farmers have taken to the streets to protest against their working conditions. Many struggle financially and say their jobs are threatened as food retailers are trying to bring down prices after a period of high inflation
Reuters
Hay bales have been used to create blockades, creating an unwavering stream of traffic, leaving many unable to get to work.
In France, agricultural workers across the country have cut off major roads leading into the capital, calling it their “siege of Paris”.
Last night, almost 80 farmers were arrested after storming the Rungis food market, dubbed "the belly of Paris". The region has the largest fresh food market in the world, feeding over 12 million people daily.
The protests appear to be popular among the general public, with seven out of 10 people in France supporting the farmers' plight.