In pictures: Farmers on the streets

Farmers have taken to the streets of France and Belgium to demand compensation from the European Union for the losses they have suffered in the crisis over mad cow disease. Now they say the scare over foot-and-mouth disease can only make matters worse.

Around 150 French and Belgian farmers lit fires near in the northern French town of Rekkem...

...and protesters laid flowers on a mock coffin for Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler

In Brussels, angry farmers trying to reach the farm ministers' talks found their way blocked by riot police...

..and farmers who tried to break through the cordon were driven back by water cannon

Brussels trams and traffic were brought to a halt by tractor blockades

The French-Belgian border near Hensies was barricaded by dozens more tractors