There was limited traffic disruption this morning as columns of tractors manned by protesting farmers made their way to Brussels. Belgian farmers were joined by many Dutch colleagues as they headed for the Heizel before the start of the protest at noon. By that time 500 tractors had gathered there - a figure well down on earlier protests.
The farmers are angry with the European Union's agricultural policy. The protest caused traffic problems on several roads into the capital and in the city itself this morning. There are also fears for the evening rush hour. Police stress that tractors are strictly prohibited on motorways.
Stewards marshalled the tractors as much as possible to ensure they could get to the assembly point via agreed routes. Police also closed intersections and cordoned off busy roads so that the columns could continue on their way.
The farmers' demonstration started at the Heizel in Brussels at noon. Worries that demonstrators are also likely to protest in the vicinity of the Wetstraat, Belgium’s political nerve centre, and the European District, have not materialised.
People who need to be in Brussels today are advised to take additional care and to use public transport as much as possible.
"We expect between 10,000 and 20,000 farmers"
Bart Dickens, chairman of the Farmers Defence Force (FDF) and dairy farmer in Arendonk, travelled to Brussels yesterday evening to get everything ready for the protesters. "We expect between 10,000 and 20,000 farmers," he told VRT. "Farmers are coming from 10 to 11 different European countries."
“We are not going to enter central Brussels. We have erected a stage at the Heizel where our guests will speak." Mr Dickens also says his organisation plans to keep things calm. Things like throwing eggs or emptying the dung cart? "That will definitely not come from us," he says.
Mr Dickens says farmers want to send one last message before Sunday's elections. "The policies that have been in place for the last five years need to be changed," he said.
According to Mr Dickens, the fact that farmers have been able to negotiate on certain issues has not brought much progress. "A lot was said beforehand, but basically not much has happened. We are now in the last phase before the elections, so now all parties want to join us, but after 9 June they will again shoot us in the back."