According to the police sources, protesters threw eggs and firecrackers at officers. Waste and tires were set on fire in the streets, causing black clouds of smoke to appear above the European Quarter.
According to the protest organizers, more than 6,000 protesters with 2,000 tractors have gathered in Brussels, blocking traffic in the city with the hope of urging EU authorities to financially support producers, left on the brink of bankruptcy by low prices, undermined by cheap imports.
#Brussels #FarmAction now includes fireworks on Rue Belliard. pic.twitter.com/v8OA3qfrU2
— Guillermo Beltrà (@gbeltra) September 7, 2015
It is expected that the state role in agricultural markets in the bloc will be debated in the meeting, with a special focus on the challenges in the dairy sector and livestock production. In addition, the ministers will discuss the impact of the ban on EU agricultural products imposed by Russia.
According to the Copa-Cogeca farm trade union, EU agricultural producers have claimed damages of some $6.13 billion as a result of the food embargo.
