Tractors in Brussels: Farmers Demand that EU Bureaucrats Listen

Thousands of farmers and livestock breeders from across the EU gathered in Brussels on 18 December 2025 to protest against the bloc’s policies. The demonstration targeted the Mercosur trade agreement, rising costs, and what protesters call excessive regulation under the EU Green Deal. Many young farmers joined, questioning whether the sector can survive under current conditions.

The protest drew participants from all 27 EU member states. Their main demand was the rejection of the Mercosur trade deal, which they argue would flood European markets with cheaper imports of meat, sugar, and cereals. French President Emmanuel Macron has already called for delays to the agreement, citing unfair competition.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán publicly backed the farmers, declaring Hungary’s opposition to the Mercosur deal. He raised concerns over lower sanitary and environmental standards in imported goods. Despite the scale of the protest, no single political party or movement has formally aligned with the farmers’ cause. Beyond trade, demonstrators criticised the EU Green Deal for overburdening the sector with regulations. They warned that without policy changes, the primary sector’s future looks bleak. Some also urged consumers to shift habits and buy more local produce to support struggling farmers. The European Council’s agenda has largely sidelined agricultural issues, despite the growing unrest. Farmers made it clear that further inaction could lead to escalated action.

The Brussels protest signals deep frustration among EU farmers over trade deals, costs, and regulations. With no immediate policy shifts, the sector faces continued uncertainty. Leaders like Macron and Orbán have voiced opposition to the Mercosur agreement, but broader solutions remain unclear.