Farmers’ Protest Brings Brussels’ EU Quarter to a Standstill

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Facts

  • Thousands of Belgian farmers brought traffic in Brussels to a standstill on Friday as they protested the Flemish regional government's plans to limit nitrogen emissions from agriculture. Thousands of tractors and other agricultural vehicles blocked roads leading into the capital city, while protesters also set fire to dozens of tires at a busy intersection.1
  • As many as 2.7K tractors jammed up the streets of Brussels, according to the police. The demonstrating farmers said that the nitrogen agreement 'will cause a socio-economic carnage' and put many farmers out of business; the protestors want the agreement to better reflect future prospects for the farm sector.2
  • The debate over agricultural pollution is taking on a political dimension in many EU nations and is expected to be a focal point of the upcoming Dutch elections. The issue is also affecting Belgium, another EU nation that relies heavily on intensive farming, and has pitted environmentalists against the agricultural lobby.3
  • The heavy use of fertilizers — used in high levels in livestock, traffic, and construction — in both Belgium and the Netherlands has led to higher levels of nitrogen oxides in the air and water than EU regulations allow.2
  • Protestors plastered signs on the front of their tractors, voicing their opposition with slogans like 'No farmers, no food,' and 'Don't forget who takes care of your food.' Another group started a fire and set off firecrackers on Rue de la Loi, in the heart of the EU headquarters.1
  • The Flemish government has not yet fully decided on this policy after a negotiation marathon of more than 16 hours from Tuesday to Wednesday.4

Sources: 1Politico, 2Reuters, 3Associated Press and 4Brusselstimes.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Farmers weekly. The EU's Industrial Emissions Directive aims at reducing pollution from cattle, pigs, and poultry factory farms and is essential to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises. Requiring these giants of industrial livestock farming to obtain a pollution permit would be a step toward more sustainable food systems.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by FOX News. Curbing nitrogen emissions on farms by limiting the use of nitrogen fertilizers and slashing livestock numbers will put 5K jobs at risk in agriculture and 15K indirect jobs. This nitrogen plan, which follows EU legislation, will create a socio-economic bloodbath. That is why this tractor action is necessary. The proposed cuts will put many farmers out of business.