Farmers block roads in Brussels to protest over South American free trade deal

Protestors burn tyres during a demonstration of European farmers outside an EU summit meeting in Brussels (Marius Burgelman/AP)

Farmers in tractors have blocked roads and set off fireworks in Brussels outside a European Union leaders’ summit, prompting police to respond with tear gas and water cannons as protesters rallied against a major free trade deal with South American nations.

Farmers fear an agreement with the trade bloc known as Mercosur will undercut their livelihoods, and there are broader political concerns it is driving support for the far-right.