The Dutch farmers who blocked the A67 border crossing near Eersel in recent days ended their action on Saturday morning. A spokesperson for the protesting farmers said this on Saturday. At a quarter to two in the afternoon, the Belgian farmers followed suit.
UPDATE Rijkswaterstaat 5.15 pm: The border crossing of the A67/E34 from Belgium to the Netherlands has been reopened. We are currently clearing the road towards Belgium again and it is expected that the road will be released at 6:45 PM.
According to the spokesperson, some activists have not slept for forty hours. No further repayment had been arranged. The spokesperson says that on Tuesday, after a meeting of the Farmers Defense Force, it will become clear where the farmers will take further actions.
Besides the farmers on the highway, other people also came to help. “They are here in the cold day and night and could use a cup of hot soup. This way we can support them a little,” explains an employee of the Hollandershoeve from Reusel.
To clean
Dutch farmers, especially Limburgers, supported a blockade by angry Belgian farmers, who closed the border crossing on Thursday evening. “We really have to keep the pressure on, we will stay here until there is more clarity. How long that will be remains to be seen,” Friso Bruurs explains.
The five tractors that were still on the road left at a quarter to two in the afternoon. Where fire used to rage, smoking remains can now be seen.
Transport sector
In any case, the blockages in recent days have caused a lot of frustration at Transport and Logistics Netherlands. “The A67 is an important connection for freight traffic to Belgium, France and Southern Europe. Blocking this connection is therefore a catastrophe for the transport sector,” says a spokesperson. “TLN is therefore pleased that the A67 can again be used for its intended purpose.”
For the time being, the A67 has not yet been released. The ANWB previously announced that two other blockages at the border crossing, the A16 at Hazeldonk and the Markiezaat junction (A4), have been lifted and that those roads are free again.