Brussels, June 5, 2024 — In a bold display of discontent, hundreds of farmers from across Europe descended on Brussels on Tuesday to protest the European Union’s green policies.
Organized by the Dutch group Farmers Defense Force, the demonstration drew about 1,200 participants and 500 tractors to the iconic Atomium monument on the city’s outskirts.
Farmers traveled from the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, and Germany to voice their opposition to the EU’s Green Deal, which they argue imposes unrealistic demands on the agricultural sector.
“We want Europe to put the Green Deal away because it’s not realistic,” said Bart Dickens, president of Farmers Defense Force’s Belgian branch.
The protest, which coincides with the run-up to European Union elections, reflects broader tensions within the farming community over environmental regulations.
The Farmers Defense Force movement, known for its alignment with far-right political groups, has become a vocal opponent of what it perceives as overreach by EU policymakers.
Among the speakers at the rally were hard-right figures from Poland’s nationalist Law and Justice party and the Flemish Vlaams Belang, highlighting the political undercurrents of the protest.
Coordination Rurale, a right-leaning farmers union from France, also participated, criticizing the environmental demands embedded in the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, as well as over-regulation and free-trade deals.
The protest in Brussels was mirrored by a parallel demonstration in Poland, where farmers blocked a border crossing to Ukraine. This action, intended to show solidarity with the Brussels protest, caused significant disruptions.
“This protest will last three days…trucks traveling from Ukraine are blocked, and 12 trucks are allowed to leave Poland between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.,” said police spokesperson Malgorzata Pawlowska.
However, Poland’s largest farming unions, Solidarity and the All Poland Alliance (OPZZ), distanced themselves from the blockade, stating they were unaware of the plans.
Despite the significant turnout and the presence of heavy machinery, the Brussels protest remained largely orderly. As of mid-afternoon Tuesday, there were no reports of vehicles blocking traffic.
Authorities had allocated a specific area on the outskirts of the city for the demonstration, and police were deployed to prevent farmers from entering the city center.
This protest is the latest in a series of farmer-led demonstrations that have disrupted Brussels in recent months.
Earlier actions led to favorable concessions from the EU, which emboldened some groups to continue their advocacy against the Green Deal.
However, not all farming organizations support the current wave of protests. Major groups like Copa-Cogeca and La Via Campesina chose not to participate.
“We reject this attempt by small groups that have no concrete proposals to address farmers’ issues to hijack farmer concerns to push their own party interests,” a spokesperson for Via Campesina stated, emphasizing a desire for more constructive dialogue.
As the EU elections approach, the tension between environmental policy goals and agricultural interests is expected to remain a contentious issue.
The outcome of these protests and the forthcoming elections will likely shape the future trajectory of EU agricultural and environmental policies as farmers continue to seek a balance between sustainability and practicality in their livelihoods.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
