Fuel protest hits streets of Brussels

Updated 13.19 Wed Jun 18 2008

Keywords: trucks, fuel, tractor, European Commission, Brussels

Hundreds of tractors have clogged the streets of Brussels in protest over the rising cost of fuel.

Around 200 tractors and trucks took part in the demonstration, which affected traffic on the ring road around the Belgian city's centre.

"Oil prices are going to stay high, are probably going to go higher and there is very little we can do about it" - Ferran Tarradellas Espuny

The Walloon agricultural organisation wants to draw attention to high production costs and low prices for their products, while transport unions object to high petrol costs and are demanding the government and the EU intervene.

The action came two weeks after riots broke out in Brussels during fuel price protests by fishermen.

European Commission Spokesman for Energy, Ferran Tarradellas Espuny said there are a number of things that could be done to ease the situation, but the future is not going to be painless.

He said: "Oil prices are going to stay high, are probably going to go higher and there is very little we can do about it."