Protesting farmers jam important roundabout to Brussels Airport

Since this afternoon, protesting farmers have been blocking the A201 roundabout, an important road to/from Brussels Airport. At the moment of writing, the blockage is leading to traffic congestion up to the Brussels Ring (R0). Via social media, the Belgian airport advises passengers to travel by train to and from the airport.

Several farming federations reconvened in the Belgian capital on Monday morning to protest on the sidelines of a meeting of the European Council of Agriculture Ministers. They aim to express dissatisfaction with the European Commission’s recent decisions, which they deem inadequate in addressing the concerns raised during protest actions earlier in February. The farmers are vocalising their opposition to European regulations they perceive as overly stringent on environmental matters, as well as expressing frustration over declining incomes.

Approximately 900 tractors have brought traffic in Brussels to a standstill. The farmers successfully breached a police blockade, and some officers were subjected to being pelted with manure. Dark clouds of smoke filled the sky in the capital as farmers ignited fires using straw and tyres, prompting police to deploy water cannons in an attempt to extinguish them.

Later on, farmers spread around the capital. Tractors are now blocking the main road to the airport.

UPDATE

The roundabout leading to Brussels Airport has been cleared, but there are still traffic jams.