In Belgium, farmers have blocked the A2/E25 highway between Maastricht and Liège as part of protests against the Mercosur trade agreement. The road is closed in both directions, with traffic being redirected via Lummen and alternative routes E314 and E313.
The demonstrations, mainly in Wallonia, express opposition to the ongoing negotiations over the trade deal between the EU and South American countries, which have been in progress for 25 years. Farmers are voicing demands for reduced administrative burdens, subsidies for blue tongue vaccines, and opposition to the Mercosur agreement.
Protesters have set off smoke bombs, written messages on roads, and displayed a symbolic figure hanging from a gallows. Police are present, but the duration of the protest is unknown.
EU leader Von der Leyen recently arrived in Uruguay for discussions on the agreement, despite notable opposition, including from the Dutch House of Representatives, which fears unfair competition for European farmers.
Source: NOS