Hundreds of Belgian farmers move to the port of Antwerp and block access roads | Abroad

The group of young farmers wants agriculture to be seen as an important sector, just like the port is. “To date, we have not been sufficiently recognized as an essential sector,” says Stijn Zelderloo on behalf of the protesting farmers. “With this action we want to show our perseverance and put pressure on the political negotiations.”

Belgian farmers have been protesting for weeks against stricter rules and declining income for the sector. At the end of January, they caused major traffic disruption on the Brussels Ring Road near Halle. There will be further consultations between the Flemish government and agricultural organizations on Thursday. Flemish Prime Minister Jan Jambon hopes ‘that everyone uses common sense’.

The current actions do not completely close the roads, the demonstrators say. They set up so-called filter blockages, which still allow cars to pass at a slow pace. Emergency lanes would be kept clear at all times; Emergency services are allowed to pass anyway. “We are not going to hold ordinary people hostage,” says Zelderloo.

According to him, the number of demonstrators is higher than expected: “We first thought that 350 tractors would join, but the number has now risen to almost 500.”

According to provincial governor Cathy Berx (CD&V), safety has the greatest priority. “Plows and products must be allowed through,” says Berx. On Monday, the Antwerp city council had called for farmers to be identified who will block the road on Tuesday. Port alderman Annick De Ridder called blocking access roads ‘totally unacceptable’.

The traffic jams in the Antwerp port area are growing rapidly due to the actions; The Flemish Traffic Center reported problems on six major traffic arteries on Tuesday morning and advised people to avoid the area if possible.

Traffic at the Beverentunnel (R2) at Waaslandhaven-Zuid is currently backed up, as well as at Waaslandhaven-Noord, past Kallo. There are also blockages on the A12. According to the Traffic Center, buses and cars are allowed through slowly. Trucks would be stopped.

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges sees that farmers are moving through the port. “They drive around and are not always at fixed points,” he said. The Maritime and Coastal Services Agency has announced that shipping will experience some disruption on Tuesday. Perhaps not all ships that wish to do so can sail onto the Scheldt. The port authority itself has not noticed any disruption to shipping for the time being.