Farmers threaten to pour thousands of litres of milk at convention centre

(JB/TJ) Farmers threatened to pour thousands of litres of milk over the convention centre in Kirchberg on Tuesday morning after creating a blockade of tractors to protest against falling prices.

A large police presence behind a barbed-wire fence and equipped with water canons surrounded the conference centre in Place de l'Europe, where farmers had said they would hold a demonstration at around 10am.

The farmers, who were protesting about falling prices, arrived on time in an array of colourful tractors, some bearing banners that called on the government to “save agriculture”. 

After a tense start in which they threatened to pour thousands of litres of milk over the convention centre, the mood was peaceful and protestors stood outside the centre where European Agriculture Ministers were meeting to discuss financial aid for dairy farmers in crisis.

A6 blockade

Earlier in the morning, the convoy had been parked on the Belgian-Luxembourg border in Sterpenich on the A6 motorway to distribute leaflets to passing motorists, slowing traffic.

Luxembourg police escorted the convoy as it entered Kirchberg. Around 300 protestors were expected at Place de l'Europe until 3pm.

On Monday, disgruntled farmers scuppered a visit by European Agriculture Ministers to a local produce presentation in Kalborn, in the north of Luxembourg.

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