Belgian farmers driving around 40 tractors blockaded the Rue de la Loi, the principal road running through central and eastern Brussels, on a sunny but freezing cold day in the capital city.

The tractors were parked near the building where EU agriculture ministers were discussing measures to alleviate the farm income crisis.

The protest was organised by a body called FUGEA, which represents smaller farmers in Belgium. Frustrated and angry farmers sprayed the headquarters of DG Agri with milk, set up a loud sound system and lit barbecues on the street.

Watch an interview with Stéphane Delogne, a farmer and one of the heads of FUGEA below

Another farmer, a dairy and drystock farmer from Libramont, 150km east of Brussels, told the Irish Farmers Journal he had come to support milk supply control measures proposed by France, Belgium and other EU member states.

"We wish for regulation of the milk market," he said. Asked if less milk should be produced, he said: "Yes, and meat as well."

Below: the Rue de la Loi blockaded with tractors on Monday 14 March

Below: the street as it normally looks

A passer-by told the Irish Farmers Journal she supported the farmers' protest.

"They are not paid enough for their work," the Brussels resident said. "They are losing money by producing milk and meat, this is not normal - this is for the profit of the agro industry."

Listen to her interview in our podcast below:

"Strong momentum" to lift fertiliser tariffs

Meanwhile, members of the Irish farming delegation were conducting lobbying efforts inside the buildings, with IFA chairman Jer Bergin reporting "strong momentum in Brussels for the suspension of EU import tariffs on fertiliser". The measure was proposed after a report commissioned by the organisation showed that protectionist measures on the European fertiliser market cost farmers around €1bn per year. It has received the backing of Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

The IFA and Minister Coveney both oppose French proposals to this Monday's meeting to curb milk production in an attempt to rebalance markets.

ICMSA president John Comer is also attending the meeting and has called for the dairy intervention price to be raised to the equivalent of 28c/l. The current equivalent is approximately 21c/l.

Read more

Hogan supports ‘‘voluntary agreements’’ to curb milk supply

No payment for Irish farmers to cut milk production - Coveney