Brussels’ farmers protests: Stench of manure wafts through EU capital

A huge column of tractors descended on Rue de la Loi in Brussels' EU quarter early Monday, disrupting traffic across the city as farmers escalated their protest against EU green policies.

Hundreds of Belgian farmers made their way toward Schuman roundabout, where EU agriculture ministers are set to meet Monday.

In chaotic scenes, law enforcement set up barbed wire outside EU institutions and met the rowdy crowd with water cannons, as protesters set fire to tires, dumped manure on the street and defied police barricades.

Farmers across several EU countries — including France, Italy and Spain — have been protesting  EU environmental policies, as they struggle with falling incomes, high costs and competition from cheap imports.

Earlier this month, European farmers staged a raucous protest in Brussels, setting fires in front of the European Parliament and toppling a statue.

Police warned Brussels residents to use public transport Monday as they set up a blockade in the area around Rue de la Loi. The metro stations Schuman and Maalbeek were shut down.

The blockades are set to last until approximately 4 p.m.