A major demonstration by European farmers is scheduled to take place in Brussels on Tuesday 4 June. As a result, there may be traffic problems in the region, according to a press release from the Brussels Capital/Ixelles police zone.
The majority of farmers from Belgium and beyond will be travelling to Brussels on their tractors early in the morning (around 06:00) on Tuesday, via various access routes.
The gathering point for tractors is the Heysel plateau in Laeken. Traffic problems will therefore be concentrated in this area. The various road closures can be seen on the map below.
Aerial view of the Heysel plateau in Laeken and various road closures. Credit: Brussels Capital/Ixelles police zone
At times, the area around Rue de la Loi and the European Quarter may also experience traffic disruptions. These traffic disruptions could run into the late afternoon.
The Brussels Capital/Ixelles police zone advises residents to use public transport instead of driving on Tuesday.
⚠️ Le mardi 4 juin 2024, une manifestation d'agriculteurs (avec tracteurs) aura lieu à #Bruxelles. Des problèmes de circulation peuvent se produire sur le territoire de la Région bruxelloise, en particulier sur le plateau du Heysel. Nous vous conseillons de privilégier les… pic.twitter.com/eOdtKNd66l
— PolBru (@zpz_polbru) May 31, 2024
The farmers planned the demonstration just days before the elections on 9 June to protest against European regulations.
'Without farmers, there is no food'
Tuesday's protest follows another on Saturday afternoon, when around 100 people gathered on Place de l'Albertine to call for a European policy to combat global warming and preserve ecosystems without penalising farmers. The action was organised by Good Food Good Farming and Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe.
The demonstrators stated that, with the European elections just around the corner, it is essential to develop a policy in Europe that implements a fair transition in agri-food systems.
"It is only by bringing social and environmental concerns together in a single movement that we will be able to tackle the crises facing us and ensure a fair future for all," Mia Mancini of Good Food Good Farming told Belga News Agency.
"Without nature, there are no farmers, and without farmers, there is no food," said Marilda Dhaskali of BirdLife. "The Nature Restoration Act is a first tangible step towards reversing the nature and climate crises. To build a truly resilient future for generations to come, it is absolutely essential that EU Member States finally make this law a reality."
