Some 1,300 tractors have gathered in the streets around the European Parliament in Brussels, as farmers are expressing their dissatisfaction with their declining incomes and increasing administrative burden. The atmosphere briefly turned grim, but the protest is overall happening peacefully.
Hundreds of angry farmers have been making their way to Brussels' European district – where a European summit is taking place today – and causing numerous traffic disruptions since the start of the week. This morning, the police counted about 1,300 tractors on Brussels' streets.
In Place du Luxembourg, angry farmers are pelting the entrance to the European Parliament with eggs and empty beer bottles, while the ground is littered with straw and manure. Some fires are also being set – causing large clouds of smoke – but they are quickly extinguished by the police.
Farmers' protest in Brussels, 1 February 2024. Credit: Orlando Whitehead
The protest was organised by several agriculture unions from Belgium but also other European countries. The General Farmer's Syndicate (ABS), FWA and FAJ are taking part as they demand better conditions to grow, produce and maintain a proper income.
Earlier this morning, farmers also set off fireworks in the square, and activists partially destroyed the monument honouring Belgian-British industrialist John Cockerill in Place du Luxembourg. While the bronze statue of Cockerill himself is still standing, a statute of one of the four workers depicted around him (a mechanic called Beaufort) was toppled. The statue was left on the ground surrounded by burning pallets.
A statue from the Place du Luxembourg was removed and set on fire at a protest action. Credit: Belga/Hatim Kaghat
Few farmers set some fire at the Place du Luxembourg at a protest action in the European district in Brussels. Credit: Belga / Dirk Waem
The monument was created in 1872 by sculptor Armand Cattier and pays tribute to one of the pioneers of the steel industry in Belgium, as well as the workers of the sector. Ixelles' city councillor for heritage, Yves Rouyet, will go to the site to assess the damage, he told Belga News Agency.
Tractors in the Rue de la Loi. Credit: Belga/Hatim Kaghat
Credit: Belga/Dirk Waem
Farmers' protest in Brussels, 1 February 2024. Credit: Orlando Whitehead
The many tractors blocked traffic, as the Reyer Tunnel from the E40 motorway in the direction of the city centre was closed from early in the morning, as was the Cinquantenaire tunnel towards Arts-Loi. People were urged to go around the city by metro.
At the European Parliament, the atmosphere quickly turned grim: clouds of black smoke can be seen all over the square as rubbish is set on fire, while the police have started spraying farmers with water from a fire hose.
Credit: Belga/Dirk Waem
Around 10:30, farmers tried to break the police barrier at the European Parliament, reported Belga News Agency. Projectiles were also thrown at the police again, and protesters also threw all kinds of street furniture. A few tried to pull away the police barricade. In doing so, the police briefly deployed tear gas. Police kept protesters at a safe distance with fire hoses.
A farmer throws an egg at a protest action in the European district in Brussels. Credit: belga/Dirk Waem
Farmers' protest in Brussels, 1 February 2024. Credit: Orlando Whitehead
Some fires are being set, but the police are quickly extinguishing them. Credit: Belga/Dirk Waem
In the meantime, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola also briefly addressed the demonstrating farmers, Politico reports. "We see you, we hear you. If you want your voices to be heard, be there in June when you vote in the European parliamentary elections," she said before entering the European Council building, where summits are currently taking place between heads of state and government.
Parliament employees have been advised to work from home on Thursday.
A police officer uses water on a farmer at a protest action in the European district in Brussels. Credit: Belga/Dirk Waem
Credit: Belga/Dirk Waem
Rows of tractors pictured from a building in the Rue de Belliard during a protest action in the European district in Brussels. Credit: Belga/Hatim Kaghat
Most of the farmers are young Belgians from the south of the country, such as Seneffe and Tournai, but farmers from abroad, including Italy, are also present. There is a massive police presence in the surrounding streets.
Rows of tractors pictured at a protest action in the European district in Brussels. Credit: Belga/Hatim Kaghat
Coldiretti Italian farmers union, wearing their yellow vests, pictured at a protest action in the European district in Brussels. Credit: Belga/Louise Delvaux
Credit: Belga/Dirk Waem
