Farmers have no immediate plans for further protests. They are prepared to give Belgian politicians and supermarkets some time to respond to their demands, but if need be, farmers will not shy away from further actions: there is great willingness to take action farmers leaders say.
The news comes after Belgium saw a week of farmers' protests that culminated in over a thousand tractors converging on Brussels and bringing paralysis to the capital as EU leaders met last Thursday. The farmers are unhappy with the EU’s new green measures but also with the Flemish government’s nitrogen plan that all impose new restrictions.
The militant farmers of Farmers Defence Force first intend to enjoy a good night’s sleep and reload batteries. Other farmers' organisations also want to give talks a chance. “At this point fresh actions can add little” says Jonas Ooms of Groene Kring. Belgium’s two biggest farmers’ organisations Algemeen Boerensyndicaat and Boerenbond have no fresh protests planned.
Most recent protests were conceived locally and that makes them hard to predict. The occasional road blockade cannot be ruled out.
Much will depend on the response from politicians. Farmers organisations see the Flemish government on Tuesday. On Friday the government pledged further consultations on the future of the sector: greater protection of agricultural land, less red tape and fair prices for their products. Farmers expect concrete action. Actions will follow if this doesn’t materialise, they say.
Results are needed by 12 February. “We will paralyse the country again if need be” says the Farmers Defence Force. Under new rules farmers are again able to manure the land from 16 February and it will be hard to mobilise them again after that date.
Farmers are also seeking a response from the supermarkets. Supermarkets and the food industry see Belgian farm minister David Clarinval (Francophone liberal) in a new working party on Thursday.
French border crossings targeted (VIDEO at top of page)
Despite hopes of a lull in protests blockades appeared near several border crossings into France this morning. Several columns of tractors headed for the French border early on Monday causing disruption on the E40 and elsewhere. The Callicanes border crossing in Watou (Poperinge – West Flanders) is completely blocked. Police are asking drivers to avoid the area.
Farmer Danny from Ieper says border crossings have been chosen as a target to highlight differing legislations north and south of the border. “At Rekkem three jurisdictions meet, Flanders, Wallonia and France”.
The protest is planned to last till tonight.