Protesters expressed concern over the potential reduction of CAP funding in the next EU budget cycle, warning that lower support levels could undermine farm viability, particularly for small and medium-sized holdings. According to farming organisations, the current proposals fail to adequately compensate producers for rising production costs, stricter environmental requirements and increased market volatility.
Trade policy was another central focus of the protest. Farmers strongly opposed the EU-Mercosur agreement, arguing that it could open the European market to agricultural imports produced under standards that differ from those required of EU farmers. They warned that this situation could distort competition, depress prices and weaken the sustainability of European agriculture.
The protest coincided with high-level political meetings in the Belgian capital, amplifying the visibility of the sector’s demands. Tractors and farm machinery were used symbolically to underline the message that agriculture remains a strategic pillar of food security, rural employment and territorial cohesion across the EU.
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Farmers’ representatives called on EU institutions to reassess both the CAP reform and trade negotiations, urging policymakers to ensure that agricultural policy and international agreements are aligned with the economic reality of producers and the strategic objectives of European food systems.
The mobilisation in Brussels reflects broader discontent within the European agricultural sector, which has seen repeated protests over the past year linked to income pressure, regulatory burdens and external competition. Organisers have warned that further actions could follow if their concerns are not addressed in upcoming EU decisions.
