After a meeting lasting almost three hours with Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir (Flemish nationalist) on Tuesday evening, farmers that had been blocking access to the port of Antwerp lifted their blockade. Ms Demir had told the farmers that she will take the specific concerns they raised into account.
Home News
Farmers lift blockades at the port of Antwerp after meeting with Flemish Environment Minister
Published:
By 10pm the last 70 tractors had left the port area. A total of almost 500 tractors had taken part in the protest, blocking 6 major intersections on roads leading to the port.
Speaking after Tuesday evening’s meeting Stijn Zelderloo of Young Independent Farmers told journalists that "We are pleased that the minister was willing to listen to us. We hope that Ms Demir will take our arguments into account during Thursday's talks. Now we're going to go and see our people at the port and tell them to go home.
Many points that had not yet been addressed were discussed at the Tuesday evening’s meeting. Ms Demir told journalists that “These were individual farmers expressing their specifically concerns. We intend to meet with them again in Brussels."
"I think it's important to listen to the specific needs expressed by young farmers, so I've taken the time to do so". Ms Demir hopes that, together with the rest of Flemish government, she will be able to influence the national and European debate regarding better prices for farmers.
However, regarding Flemish Nitrogen Decree, the Flemish Environment Minister says that says she has very little room for manoeuvre. "I don't think we should make any false promises regarding this".