Approximately 10,000 farmers and demonstrators from across Europe have flocked to Brussels to protest against the European Union’s agreement with the South American Mercosur countries.

At the same time, a summit of EU leaders is taking place in the Belgian capital, where one of the main topics will be the free trade agreement, which, as many politicians, experts, and even farmers themselves emphasize, will lead to disaster for European agriculture.

Police have already deployed water cannons and tear gas as small-scale battles broke out with riot police.