Walloon farmers are blocking several motorways on Friday. The Walloon Federation of Young Farmers (FJA) is protesting the European Commission's plans to sign a trade agreement with the South American Mercosur countries.
Guillaume Van Binst of the Walloon Federation of Young Farmers (FJA) says that “We intend to block several transport arteries for a day. The action may be continued depending on the political response”.
The southbound Brussels orbital is blocked between Halle (Flemish Brabant) and Ittre (Walloon Brabant), while the northbound carriage is blocked between Opain and Ittre (both Walloon Brabant. Brussels-bound E19 motorway is closed between the Nivelles-Nord intersection and Opain due to a farmers’ blockade.
Needless to say, this is causing significant delays south of the capital.
Elsewhere, there is disruptions on the E42 motorway at the Marquain intersection, near Tournai (Hainaut) and on the southbound E411 at Courrière, south of Namur. On the E40, both carriageways are blocked at Battice and Alleur (both Liège Province).
Farmers have also blocked the border crossings between France and Belgium on the E42 and E19 motorways.
Protest against EU-Mercosur trade deal
The action has been organised by the Walloon Federation of Young Farmers (FJA) in protest against the European Commission's plans to sign a trade agreement with several South American countries, that are members of the Mercosur customs union.
EU Member States are meeting today (Friday 9 January) to discuss the agreement. It is expected that the majority will vote in favour.
The EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has promised European farmers an additional 45- billion-euro support package and confirmed that there will be stricter checks on things such as pesticides. However, this is not proved enough to allay farmers' concerns.
On Thursday, Flemish farmers protested in Ghent, Oostakker (East Flanders) and Wommelgem (Antwerp Province).