Farmers converge on the European Union’s headquarters in a fresh show of force
By SYLVAIN PLAZY and LORNE COOK
Associated Press
BRUSSELS (AP) — Concrete barriers and barbed wire have been set up around the European Union’s headquarters as farmers angry at red tape and competition from cheap imports converge on Brussels on tractors. Monday’s rally is a fresh show of force as the bloc’s agriculture ministers meet. Riot police patrolled near barricades at the main entry points to the European Council while tractors adorned with flags and banners stood in lines, snarling traffic. The protests are the latest in a series of rallies by farmers across Europe, notably in France, the Netherlands, Spain and Bulgaria. The movement has gathered pace as political parties campaign for Europe-wide elections on June 6-9.
