Protesting farmers use tractors to block the European Parliament building in Brussels - Belgium
Dozens of farmers drove tractors into Brussels on Thursday morning to join the protest. Witnesses said protesters blocked the European Parliament building.
The massive protest is taking place against the backdrop of an EU summit set for February 1. Law enforcement officials reported that traffic in central Brussels, home to the European Commission, the EU Council and the European Parliament, could be paralyzed.
Farmers are demanding changes to Europe-wide agricultural policy, the lifting of many restrictions, an end to uncontrolled imports of cheap goods from abroad, higher wages and a freeze on tax increases.
Most of the protesters are young farmers, who feel increasingly disadvantaged by rising energy prices, inflation and climate change, which has seen crops fail due to drought, floods or bushfires.
Protests have been taking place across the EU for more than a week. On Wednesday, farmers blocked major transport arteries in Belgium, France and Italy in an attempt to disrupt trade at major ports and other key parts of the economy. On Wednesday, French farmers attempted to blockade the Rungis market near Paris, with police arresting several people.