Tractors are blocking road access to Brussels' main airport.
This is what we learn from the company that manages Zaventem airport which reports congested traffic in the access roundabout and advises travelers to use the train to and from the airport.
In the ongoing protest in Brussels against the EU's agricultural policies, the demonstrators forced one of the police blocks on rue de Pascal, first with some protest participants entering on foot and then directly entering with tractors, to spill into a street protest prohibited: Chaussee d'Etterbeek.
On the street near the EU Council, rue Froissart, the police are trying to contain the demonstrators who are throwing smoke bombs and firecrackers at the police.
Tractor horns can now be heard from the Council.
An attempt to force a blockade in rue de La Loi, a few meters away, was stopped.
The tension was palpable from the first moments of the farmers' protest.
On the same rue de La Loi, a few meters from the European Commission and the Europa Building where the Council of Agriculture Ministers is meeting, several fires have been recorded, set by protesters using tires and bins set on fire.
Intense columns of smoke are rising, several explosions of firecrackers are heard, and the police have activated the water cannons, from what appears at the moment only directing them towards the fires.
Some tractors have now headed towards Place de Luxemburg, in front of the European Parliament, which is closed to agricultural vehicles.
On rue d'Etterbeek, the forbidden street on which the demonstrators managed to enter even with tractors, the tension rose further: the police activated water cannons against the demonstrators, throwing tear gas.
The protesters are instead throwing various objects, such as eggs or cans, at the police.
For further information Agenzia ANSA Tractors return to Brussels, 'EU action is not enough' - Agricultural World - Ansa.it Lollobrigida, 'Italian proposal to Agrifish to change the Pac' (ANSA)