French farmers announced that access to Paris will be blocked from today
Tractors from across Europe gathered in Brussels, swelling the ranks of protesters as thousands pressed toward the city center. On Thursday, EU heads of state and government convened for an informal summit, with farmers calling for stronger support for rural communities and relief from escalating costs. They stressed the need to meet the bloc’s climate and sustainability goals that all 27 member states have agreed to pursue in coming years.
Even though agricultural policy did not appear on the formal agenda as leaders sought to persuade Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to abandon his veto on a proposed 50 billion euros in four-year joint aid to Ukraine, several leaders indicated a willingness to discuss the matter. They signaled the issue deserved attention, even if it was not the primary focus of the gathering.
Preliminary estimates from Brussels police counted at least a thousand tractors occupying streets around the European Quarter early Thursday, including the square that provides access to the European Parliament’s main entrance and nearby approaches to the Council. Heads of state were preparing to meet, while slogans in multiple languages adorned banners hoisted by farmers in Luxembourg Square in front of the Parliament. In the wake of the demonstrations, authorities tightened the already heavy security presence as the city hosted a series of high-level EU events. The dissent echoed the words of protesters who cried out that this is not the Europe they want, demanding action rather than words. The scene underscored the persistent tension between rural livelihoods and political negotiations across the region.
Upon arriving for the leaders’ talks, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo acknowledged that farmers’ grievances carried some truth. He noted that farmers have already taken steps to adapt to ecological shifts and emphasized the importance of ensuring fair prices for their produce, a sentiment aimed at sustaining rural economies while meeting environmental commitments.
French President Emmanuel Macron, whose country has witnessed sustained farmer protests, indicated on the eve of the summit that agriculture would be placed on the agenda for the Twenty-Seven’s discussions. He drew attention to the broader implications of trade agreements with third parties, cautioned against free-trade frameworks that could harm European producers, and advocated pausing negotiations that might conflict with the interests of other member states, such as Spain, for whom these issues are particularly relevant to their agricultural sector.
In an effort to bolster morale ahead of the European elections in June, the European Commission announced a measure on Wednesday intended to ease farmer concerns. It proposed postponing by one year the obligation for farmers to leave portions of cropland fallow as a condition for receiving CAP support. The move is meant to grant farmers more flexibility to respond to market pressures and shifting climatic conditions. Officials explained that, to access this flexibility, farmers would still need to maintain soil health and fertility by setting aside land for crops and practices that benefit the land over time. This adjustment aims to balance immediate financial needs with long-term environmental stewardship, a compromise designed to maintain ongoing support for rural communities while the policy landscape continues to evolve across the EU.