There were incidents earlier in Brussels, where EU agriculture ministers are meeting today, when farmers who had gathered to protest tried to break through police barriers outside the Union’s headquarters.
The farmers are holding oranges and lemons threatening to throw them at the police if they prevent them from approaching the building, as reported by ERT.
Earlier, farmers tried to set fire to a mountain of tires a few hundred meters from the European Council building and police brought water cannons.
Dozens of tractors with flags and banners are lined up, blocking traffic in the city. “Agriculture. As a child you dream of it, as an adult you die from it” shout the farmers, according to ERT.
Among the farmers’ main demands, which they say have not yet been heard, are: fair incomes, a reduction in administrative burdens, an end to free trade agreements and an increase in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget.
Earlier this month, a similar demonstration turned violent, as farmers set hay bales on fire and threw eggs and firecrackers at police during a summit of EU leaders.
The protests are the latest in a series of farmers’ rallies and demonstrations across Europe.
Pressure on ministers
At the table of the Ministers of Agriculture, it is expected to find the European Commission’s proposals for simplifying certain procedures concerning farmers, as well as a road map for the next steps.
According to sources in Brussels, the presence of farmers outside the Council will put pressure on ministers.
At today’s meeting in Brussels, the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Lefteris Avgenakis, will present the demands of the Greek farmers.
“Our voice in Brussels, at the Council of Ministers for the changes in the CAP, will be the voice of the entire Greek government and all the farmers of the country,” he stressed, pointing out that “all of us on this issue must be united as one fist.”
Mr. Avgenakis will submit 19 proposals for technical changes, which are the product of EUMED-9 cooperation.
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