Farmers' protests caused traffic disruption this Monday morning. The farmers blocked several roads to protest against the European Union’s strict new environmental standards and their falling incomes. Especially in and around the town of Halle (Flemish Brabant) and on the Brussels ring road there were major delays. The activists refused to leave until after the morning rush hour.
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Farmers’ protests disrupt morning rush hour on Brussels orbital and elsewhere (VIDEO)
Colin Clapson
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Farmers’ protests blockaded the Brussels orbital ring road at Huizingen (Flemish Brabant) and Ittre (Walloon Brabant) leading to long tailbacks. The protest on the ring also led to congestion on smaller roads as drivers sought alternative ways on getting into work in Brussels.
In Wallonia the E411 and E42 motorways to Luxembourg were also closed by protests north of Namur. The E19 was blocked in Nivelles (Walloon Brabant) for drivers heading for France.
The protests were supposed to stop after the morning rush hour but continue at Daussoulx, north of Namur till tonight.
Disruption started last night
Protests on the Brussels orbital started last night when tractors hampered traffic. Famers also blockaded the distribution centre of supermarket chain Colruyt in Halle. The blockade was lifted this morning.
Why are the farmers protesting?
The protests are an initiative of Walloon farmers. They set off on Sunday morning with hundreds of tractors and with a clear mission: to make it clear to Walloon, federal and European policymakers that things cannot continue like this.
As in France and Germany, the Belgian farmers are protesting against strict European environmental rules. These require many investments to benefit the climate and the environment. The farmers are unhappy with the extra costs resulting from these new rules. Production costs are rising, while the prices they receive for their products do not follow the trend, they say. As a result, many farmers feel that their jobs are no longer worth their while.
Flemish farmers protested on Sunday
Flemish farmers launched protests in Sint-Truiden (Limburg) and Turnhout (Antwerp) on Sunday. In Turnhout 80 tractors headed for the market square to set a symbolic gallows alight. This protest targets the Flemish government’s nitrogen plan that places new restrictions on farmers, but the protesters said they also wanted to voice wider dissatisfaction.
