Thousands of farmers are protesting in Brussels to demand European Union action to counter the slumping prices they get for milk and pork.
From across the 28-nation EU, farmers converged on EU headquarters, arriving on hundreds of tractors and snarling traffic during the morning rush hour in the Belgian capital and on some roads leading in to Brussels.
With the relentless blowing of horns, they showed their anger over high taxes and falling prices that have been exacerbated since the opening up of the milk market early this year.
EU agriculture ministers are meeting in an extraordinary session to assess the crisis and look for measures to back farmers.
Some farmers have called for a reintroduction of quotas or more direct aid from their governments to pay the bills.
Riot police are hit with eggs during a farmers demonstration
Police officers block tractors
Tractors drive down a main avenue
Farmers stand next to their tractors after lighting a fire
Police are sprayed with a hay machine
A police offer is covered in hay
Police are sprayed with a hay machine
PICTURES: Farmers clash with police while protesting against price slumps
