The first tractors will probably already be in Antwerp by 5 o’clock on Tuesday morning. Calls were made on social media to close all access roads to the port of Antwerp. This is a spontaneous action – the message was spread via WhatsApp groups – so it is not clear how many farmers will respond to the call.
Much will depend on the discussions between the Flemish Government and the agricultural organizations. These were completed on Monday evening without an agreement, Prime Minister Jan Jambon told Terzake. “We will conclude the final negotiations on Thursday afternoon,” Jambon insisted. “You never know for sure. It is only successful when it is successful. But on both sides of the table the real intention is to reach an agreement. This is in the interest of the sector, but also in the interest of all citizens.”
Belgian and Dutch farmers at an earlier blockade of a border crossing. — © ANP / ANP
About Tuesday’s planned blockade, he said: “I hope everyone uses common sense. We do that at the table too. The agreement will not be there tomorrow, but it will be in the following days. But I wouldn’t like to see the blockade happen there, no. I hope people will be reasonable tomorrow.”
“We will not ban anyone”
The Farmers’ Union and the General Farmers’ Syndicate (ABS) are not behind the new actions. They say that they do not benefit from everything going off the rails, but they do have sympathy for those who drive their tractors to Antwerp today. “We will not prohibit anyone from joining,” said ABS chairman Hendrik Vandamme.
Much less support can be found from the Antwerp city council. Port alderman Annick De Ridder (N-VA) called the plans ‘totally unacceptable’. “The complete closure of public infrastructure and companies does not fall under the exercise of the right to demonstrate.” Acting mayor Koen Kennis (N-VA) joined her. “Blocking access to critical infrastructure, such as hospitals, the port area and logistics hubs, should not remain without consequences.”
Supported by the Flemish Port Association and employers’ organization VOKA, Kennis asked the competent authorities to intervene if necessary. “I have called on them to identify offenders.” VOKA, which fears a loss of 82 million euros, demands that politicians do the maximum to guarantee the ‘free passage of people and goods at all times.’
The designated federal ministers Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) and Paul Van Tigchelt (Open VLD) remained noticeably silent on Monday. Ministers of Justice Van Tigchelt referred to Minister of the Interior Verlinden for law enforcement. She stated that reports will be drawn up in the event of any blockages of roads and companies. “That also happened last week, the police are doing their job,” it said.
The federal police, responsible for the highways and the port of Antwerp, do not want to answer questions about how the farmers’ protest will be approached. “We only communicate about the traffic situation at the moment itself,” it says. The police want to avoid adding fuel to the fire with certain statements. Governor Cathy Berx also did not want to let her see her cards.