The prime minister, Alexander De Croo (Flemish liberal), has warned any blockade of supermarket distribution centres by angry farmers is not the way to go.
Speaking in Dutch Mr De Croo told VRT News: “Brussels is like a besieged city today. I understand there is great willingness to protest. I understand this, farmers must make sure that the support they possess among part of the population is not lost. People who want to get to work, bring their kids to school, don’t make their lives difficult! They have nothing to do with it. Let’s make sure that the blockades at supermarkets today do not threaten to have an impact on food supplies. That’s not the way to go!”
"There is great willingness to speak with the farmers. Yesterday we showed that there are opportunities to offer solutions. We will make progress in talks and not by blockading the country. I hope nobody will use violence or vandalise things".