The protesting farmers who blocked the port of Zeebrugge announced the end of their action in the port area and are returning home. The 2,000 trucks that were stuck because of the blockade can also leave again.
Almost 2,000 trucks have been stuck in the area in and around Zeebrugge for several days as farmers have been blocking access to the port since Tuesday afternoon. This led to trucks being parked in unsafe places, such as the motorway's breakdown lane.
"The consultation with the Flemish Government turned out to be hopeful. That is why we are taking this decision," Nick Van Doorne, one of the initiators of the blockade in Zeebrugge, told Het Laatste Nieuws. "If it comes to nothing, we can still return."
Up to the police
"It is now up to the police to arrange everything further, but in principle, the port will be accessible again once we leave," he added.
The governor of West Flanders Carl Decaluwé and the Farmers' Union (Boerenbond) also confirmed that the organisations were calling on their members to halt the protest for the time being.
According to Decaluwé, it remains to be seen whether all activists on the ground will follow that plan. He added that extra police have now been deployed in the area to escort the 2,000 stranded trucks out of Zeebrugge.
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A major action plan is being implemented to allow all trucks to enter the port safely – something that is expected to take several days. Other trucks are still being directed to the emergency car park at Ostend Airport.
"Scenarios are ready and will be put into action. It will take a lot of time to get all those trucks out of there in an orderly fashion. The procedure could certainly take all weekend," Caluwé said.
