Belgian port blockaded as farmer protests spread across Europe

Roads around Zeebrugge could be obstructed until midnight on Wednesday, hitting commercial trade

The Belgian port of Zeebrugge was blockaded on Tuesday causing gridlock on surrounding roads as a wave of farmer protests spread across Europe.

Authorities at the North Sea port, one of the biggest in Europe, said all access roads were blocked by 5pm (1600 GMT) on Tuesday in a demonstration that will hit commercial trade, including imports and exports of food to and from the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia.