Farmers Clash with Police in Brussels as EU Agriculture Ministers Meet

On Monday, February 26, farmers staged protests in various locations across Europe, including Brussels. The European quarter of Brussels was brought to a halt as over 900 tractors blocked roads and gathered around the EU institutions' headquarters. Farmers from Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and Italy participated in these demonstrations. The farmers argued that allowing cheap imports puts pressure on EU agriculture and expressed their concerns to agricultural ministers during meetings. The protests resulted in clashes with police in Brussels, Madrid, and at the Polish-German border. Farmers used tactics such as spraying officers with liquid manure and setting tires on fire. Police responded by using riot gear and water cannons to disperse the crowds and protect the EU headquarters.