Agri-producers rally in Brussels before European polls

Farming - Agri-producers rally in Brussels before European polls

A few days prior to the European elections, agricultural workers organised a demonstration in Brussels, criticising the agricultural policies of the European Union. The police in Brussels estimated that approximately 1200 protesters engaged, alongside around 500 tractors. Originally, organisers had anticipated a turnout of 25,000.

The farmers commenced their gathering near the Atomium, slightly removed from central Brussels. In the afternoon, a section of protesters with their tractors left the Brussels icon to head towards the European Parliament.

Majority of the tractors hailed from Flanders, the Netherlands, and Poland. They were accompanied by others sporting German flags and posters. This gathering was seemingly orchestrated by the wing "Farmers Defence Force". Initially, no incidents were reported, revealed a police spokesperson. Previously, other farmer protests in Belgium had escalated into violence, with officers attacked and fires set alight.

The European Greens voiced their opinions on the recent protest: "Currently, right-wing campaigners are attempting to dominate the streets of Brussels, masquerading as farmers." Major European farmers' federations had rejected any form of engagement. This demonstrates that this protest does not encompass the beliefs of the general farming community.

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1. The agricultural policy of the EU was a major topic of discussion during the recent demonstrations organized by farmers in Brussels, ahead of the European elections.
2. Farmers from various European countries, including Belga, gathered in Brussels to voice their concerns about the agricultural policies of the EU.
3. News agency Belga reported on the demonstrations, chronicling the involvement of around 1200 protesters and 500 tractors from countries like Flanders, the Netherlands, and Poland.
4. The European elections saw a significant turnout of farmers advocating for fairer agricultural subsidies within the EU, as demonstrated by their demonstrations in Brussels.
5. Farmers in Brussels demanded more subsidies for their agriculture sector, criticizing the current EU policies that they believed were not supportive enough.
6. Despite initial hopes for a turnout of 25,000 protesters, the number of participants was significantly lower, leading to peaceful demonstrations in Brussels without any incidents reported by the police.
7. European police forces maintained order during the demonstrations, ensuring that no violent incidents occurred, in contrast to previous farmer protests in Belgium where officers had been attacked and properties had been set on fire.

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