Farmers plan Schuman protest during Thursday's summit

Farmers will bring their tractors to Brussels' EU district on Thursday in a protest to coincide with a special European budget summit.

Several agricultural unions plan to take part in the demonstration in the "free expression zone" on the Rue de la Loi between Schuman roundabout and Cinquantenaire park.

The Walloon Federation of Agriculture is one of the participants and intends to bring "several dozen" tractors to the capital.

The European Milk Board, with represents dairy farmers, is also planning a protest in the EU quarter on Thursday morning, with producers from Lithuanian, Latvia and Estonia, to demand equal treatment and a fairer common agricultural policy.

The Schuman area will be closed to traffic from 12.30 on Thursday as European heads of state and government meet to discuss the EU's next long-term budget. The Reyers-centre tunnel will be closed from 11.30.