€30,000 raised for farmer arrested for dumping potatoes in Grand-Place

A farmer who dumped several tonnes of potatoes in Brussels’ Grand-Place during a recent protest has raised more than €30,000 for legal support and has appealed for a pardon from Belgium's King Philippe.

Aurélien Holvoet was arrested and questioned by a magistrate on Sunday before being released. Police identified three categories of offence, according to Laura Demullier, spokesperson for the public prosecutor’s office: a violation of the criminal code, the road traffic law and the environment and public cleanliness laws.

Holvoet’s wife, who lives with her husband in Ath in Hainaut province, told La Dernière Heure that they had caused as little disruption as possible and had proceeded with the utmost caution.

“It was pure luck that we were able to reach the Grand-Place,” she said.

“The roadblocks were gone and no police officer stopped us. The tractor was able to drive right up to the square, and we were careful to avoid pedestrians along the way.

"It was a symbolic but non-violent protest. But it was not the intention that he should be arrested. We did not cause any damage and did not endanger anyone."

In a message on social media, Daniel Coulonval, president of the Walloon Agricultural Federation (FWA), expressed his support for the activists: “These are not terrorists, but young farmers who have expressed their anger because they want to live in dignity.”

A number of farmers started a fundraising campaign to support the Holvoet, which raised more than €25,000 in just a few hours and currently stands at more than €30,000.

Holvoet’s case will not be prosecuted, but rather referred to a justice centre for criminal mediation. The aim is for the farmer to agree to compensate the city of Brussels for the damage caused.

After being released from police custody, Holvoet and his wife returned to Brussels a day later to try to speak to the King at the Royal Palace, offering him a bag of potatoes in return for a royal pardon and for his tractor back, which was seized by police during his arrest.

No meeting took place, but police allowed the pair to briefly enter the palace grounds.

In the meantime, protests by farmers continue in Wallonia, where at least three roadblocks on major motorways were made on Monday morning.

The blockades in Hainaut, at Hensies (E19) and Marquain (E42/E403), as well as at the Courrière interchange (E411/N4) in Namur province, have since been lifted.

Clearance, cleaning and repair work on the road surface is still ongoing on certain sections.

Farmers also set up blockades last week during the night between Thursday and Friday, which were lifted over the weekend.

The Federation of Young Farmers (FJA) is behind the movement, which was launched to oppose the conclusion of the free trade agreement with the South American Mercosur countries.

The farmers fear that the agreement will cause unfair competition with European farmers. They hoped to raise awareness among the member states of the European Union, the majority of which gave the green light to the agreement on Friday.