Belgian farmers protested on Tuesday in the capital Brussels, near the EU Commission building, to oppose the bloc’s agricultural policies and low incomes, local media reported.
About 150 tractors blocked streets and disrupted traffic. The farmers rallied on their tractors at the same time as a meeting of EU agriculture ministers was taking place, RTL broadcaster reported.
It was the third time farmers from different regions of Belgium had come to Brussels to protest, following previous demonstrations on 1 and 26 February.
Farmers across Europe have been expressing their anger for months over low wages and EU and national policies, including restrictions, food imports and trade support for Ukrainian grain.
Last week, the EU decided to impose barrier duties on grain exports from Belarus and Russia after a series of protests by farmers across Europe demanding an end to exports of Ukrainian food products, which are exempt from taxes and duties.
They said cheap Ukrainian agricultural products were destroying agriculture in EU countries, especially those bordering Ukraine.
The EU Commission in mid-March also agreed to drop restrictions on pesticides, increase subsidies for rye and barley, maintain the current level of agricultural tax, and remove restrictions on plant protection products and the need for fallow land.
The Polish government, for its part, reached an agreement with farmers last week to end ongoing nationwide protests.
