- Farmers protest in Brussels
- EU summit nearby
- Elections approach
As hundreds of irate farmers marched to Brussels in convoys to protest their working conditions and compensation, fires broke out in front of the European Parliament and police in riot gear fired tear gas. Leaders of the EU gathered nearby.
Farmers ignited flames near the European Parliament in Brussels as a form of protest against taxes, escalating expenses, and cheap imports.
A banner reading “If you love the Earth, support those who manage it” was among the approximately 1,300 tractors that, according to the police, obstructed major thoroughfares through the city.
Another banner proclaimed “no farmers, no food,” while some attendees resorted to throwing eggs at the European Parliament.
Officers in riot gear secured barriers near the parliament, where leaders were scheduled to assemble, while tractors were parked in a central square.
Infuriated by taxes and green regulations, crowds attempted to lower the barriers while the police deployed tear gas and water cannons. The protesters argued they were not being compensated adequately and faced unfair competition from abroad.
“You must have hope, given the number of people present today and the fact that they are from all over Europe,” advised Kevin Bertens, a farmer from just outside Brussels.
We must remain optimistic that these individuals will recognise the necessity of farming; after all, it is to eat.
Farmers have already secured several measures, including EU proposals to restrict Ukrainian agricultural imports and relax some environmental regulations on fallow lands.
In the midst of weeks of ongoing protests, the French government has renounced its plan to progressively reduce subsidies on agricultural diesel and has instead pledged additional aid.
And throughout Europe, producers in Belgium, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy have taken to the streets in outrage.
Approaching Elections
Although agricultural matters were not on the agenda during the EU leaders’ summit, which focused on Ukraine aid, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo implied that leaders would now pay attention to the crisis.
He added that we must also ensure they can obtain a fair price for the superior products they offer.
Additionally, we must ensure that their administrative burden remains manageable.
Far-right parties, which are gaining support among farmers, have scheduled elections for the European Parliament for June of this year as potential candidates.
Overnight, Viktor Orban, the right-leaning prime minister of Hungary, met with farmers.
His spokesman lamented, “We must find new leaders who genuinely represent the interests of the people.”
