Belgian farmers have blockaded highways and a major port as protests against Net Zero environmental regulation and low pay spread from France and intensify across Europe. The Telegraph has more.
More than 100 tractors blockaded the Zeebrugge container port, according to organisers, causing gridlock on the surrounding roads.
Local media reports a major highway has also been blocked.
Farmers from several European countries will head to Brussels on Thursday to pile pressure on Government leaders holding a summit in the European Parliament.
European Commissioners have already proposed limiting imports from Ukraine and allowing flexibility on fallow land rules in a bid to quell protests.
A contentious trade deal with South America, which farmers fear will expose them to competition unhindered by EU standards, looks set to be blocked by France.
France has now vowed to block a trade deal being signed between the EU and South American countries which farmers are deeply unhappy about.
Farmers have repeatedly objected to an EU-Mercosur deal, claiming they will not be able to compete with rivals who are not bound by strict environmental laws.
Bruno Le Maire, France’s economy minister, told broadcasters: “This Mercosur deal, as it stands, is not good for our farmers. It cannot be signed as is, it won’t be signed as is.”
The European Commission acknowledged on Tuesday that its deal was “not quite there yet” but said talks were continuing.
