Farmers are planning another protest in Brussels on Tuesday 26 March – their third this year. The last action resulted in clashes with police, traffic disruption and destruction of public property.
The international farmers organisation Via Campesina confirmed the planned action on Friday. Soon after, Belgian farming federations FJA, FWA and FUGEA confirmed that they would also be participating on Tuesday. A "symbolic action" is scheduled for around 10:30 on Rue de la Loi, at the crossroads with Rue Guillaume le Taciturne.
"This Tuesday, come and make farmers' voices heard at the European Council!" the FJA wrote on social media. Despite acknowledging some progress since the agricultural protests began, the organisation stated it is not enough. "We expect Europe to continue to move in favour of the farming world."
Farmers are calling for a satisfactory response to their demands, mainly concerning fair remuneration and an end to free trade agreements.
Third action in two months
This marks the third time this year that farmers will take to the streets of Brussels with their tractors.
The first such protest took place on 1 February when around 1,200 vehicles came to the capital. Protesters assembled mainly on Place du Luxembourg in front of the European Parliament and the European Quarter was closed off. The damage caused by protestors was relatively small considering the scale of the protest.
Less than one month later on Monday 26 February, around 900 farmers travelled to Brussels en masse on the occasion of a meeting of the European Council for Agriculture and Fisheries. The European Quarter once again ground to a halt, and the protests quickly got out of hand.
A farmer burns what looks like a Russian flag in Brussels on Monday 26 February 2024. Credit: Belga / Benoit Doppagne
Protesting farmers set fire to straw bales and tractor tyres on Rue de la Loi and Chaussée d'Etterbeek and police officers in several locations were bombarded by rioters with dung, explosives and oranges, as well as stakes and bottles. Tear gas was eventually deployed.
Ilse Van de keere, a spokesperson for the Brussels City/Ixelles police zone, told The Brussels Times that the police had been informed of the protest and that they are in full preparation for the action. The measures which will be taken will be communicated on Monday.
