Farmers block Belgian-Dutch border as protests spread across Europe
Farmers have blocked several border crossings between Belgium and the Netherlands, as they stage demonstrations against the EU’s agricultural regulations including taxes, rising costs, cheap imports and bureaucracy.
Dutch directorate general for public works and water management Rijkswaterstaat on Friday urged travelers to not take the blocked routes to avoid blockade.
“Due to demonstrations at the Belgian border, the A67, A16 and A4 at the border crossing are closed in both directions,” a post on X fro Rijkswaterstaat translated.
Vanwege demonstraties aan de Belgische grens is de #A67, #A16 en #A4 ter hoogte van de grensovergang in beide richtingen dicht. Ga je die kant op? Dan raden we aan om je reis uit te stellen als dat mogelijk is. Bekijk https://t.co/AkieH72Pmg voor de actuele verkeersinformatie. pic.twitter.com/XOLAtrj9Xt
— Rijkswaterstaat Verkeersinformatie (@RWSverkeersinfo) February 2, 2024
Rijkswaterstaat has closed the highways at logical points in the Netherlands due to the blockades so that traffic can move freely, a spokesperson said.
Started-off late Thursday night on the Belgian side with some Dutch farmers joining later, the protests have caused the closure of the border crossing in the direction of Antwerp, Belgium's second-biggest city and home to Europe's second-biggest port, according to reports.
The protest has also led to the blocking of the entry and exit of the trucks at the Zeebrugge port, part of Port of Antwerp-Bruges in western Belgium, leading to a blockade of 2,000 trucks.
A representative from the Zeebrugge port on Wednesday stated that the docks were becoming increasingly occupied and would soon reach their maximum capacity if the ongoing protests persisted throughout the entire week.
Farmers across Europe have been upset and dissenting over the EU's agricultural reforms of low prices, agricultural regulations, drive to tackle climate change, and unfair competition from cheap Ukrainian imports to help Kyiv's war effort.
The EU waived quotas and duties since Russia began its special military campaign in Ukraine and renewed negotiations to conclude a trade deal between the EU and South American bloc Mercosur.
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