Furious European farmers have thrown Brussels into chaos after marching on the Belgian capital in protest over rising costs, cheap food imports and EU red tape.
Protesters parked their tractors around the European Parliament while police cordoned off the Commission and Council buildings which today will hold a summit for EU leaders.
Farmers claim they are not being paid enough and are being choked by taxes and green rules imposed by the trading bloc.
“We plan - as farmers - to go to Brussels and set up barricades because the (leaders) are meeting on Thursday,” Belgian farmer Eddy Dewite said on the side of a highway blocked by tractors.
Farmers in Brussels march on European Parliament
Reuters
Another Belgian farmer, 26-year-old Luca Mouton, said: “Time is up. [EU leaders must] think of the farmers.
“Talk to the farmers rather than about the farmers, discuss what is possible. We are open to dialogue.”
The protests in Brussels were sparked as a result of similar action in France where farmers blocked dozens of major roads in Paris and stormed a wholesale food market.
However, anger is bubbling up all over Europe with similar protests erupting in Germany, Poland and Romania with planned action to come in Spain and Italy.