Hundreds of farmers and union activists are protesting in Brussels against talks on the establishing of a so-called Transatlantic Free Trade Area, which would cover Europe and North America.
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© AP Photo / Geert Vanden Wijngaert
Protesters from France, Germany and Netherlands joined Belgian activists in the European district of Brussels, Libre Belgique reports. They drove to the EU buildings with nearly 30 tractors, restricting traffic in the busy part of the capital.
Above: Farmers protest near the European Commission headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.
Above: Farmers protest near the European Commission headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.
Above: An effigy of German Chancellor Angela Merkel is seen near burning bales of straw set on fire by European farmers during protests near the European Commission headquarters in Brussels December 19, 2014.
Above: A demonstrator climbs a pole to place a banner during protests near the European Commission headquarters in Brussels December 19, 2014.
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© AP Photo / Geert Vanden Wijngaert
A public campaign against the upcoming free-trade area deal between the US and Europe was launched earlier this year.
Above: Farmers protest near the European Commission headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.
Above: Farmers protest near the European Commission headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.
Above: European farmers block a crossroad during a demonstration near the European Commission headquarters in Brussels December 19, 2014.
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© AP Photo / Geert Vanden Wijngaert
A coalition of unionists, farmers and environmentalists fear that the creation of a trans-atlantic free-trade would weaken environmental protection standards.
Above: Farmers protest near the European Parliament in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.
Above: Farmers protest near the European Parliament in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.
There are also fears that the establishment of the so-called Transatlantic Free Trade Area (TAFTA) will lead to a reduction of agricultural producers, who are currently struggling.
Above: Farmers protest near the European Parliament in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.
Above: Farmers protest near the European Parliament in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.
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© AP Photo
Above: A scarecrow with a picture of German Chancellor Angela Merkel lays on the straw during a farmers protest near the European Commission headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.
The TAFTA creation talks have been frozen for nearly a year. The parties are seeking to reach an agreement on all aspects of the free-trade agreement, including financing and food safety.
Above: Farmers protest near the European Parliament in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.
Above: Farmers protest near the European Parliament in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.
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© AP Photo / Geert Vanden Wijngaert
Tractors blocked traffic the front of the European Commission headquarters in Brussels.
Above: Farmers protest near the European Commission headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.
Above: Farmers protest near the European Commission headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.
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© AP Photo / Geert Vanden Wijngaert
Farmers made fires and set off firecrackers near the EU headquarters where a European Union summit closed several hours before.
Above: Farmers march near the European Commission headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.
Above: Farmers march near the European Commission headquarters in Brussels on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014.
