March 1, 2001
		Mad Farmers and Mad Cows Riot police on Monday, February 26 turned water cannons on Belgian farmers who descended upon European Union (EU) headquarters, demanding financial assistance to help cope with the mad cow crisis. Hundreds of tractors blocked and congested major roads in Brussels, tying up traffic as agriculture ministers from 15 European Union nations gathered to discuss strategies against the spread of mad cow disease. Franz Fischler, the EU’s Agricultural Minister, said that there was no additional money to compensate farmers who have been affected by the scandal. Fischler did propose, though, a major reform of the EU beef division, which would include a reduction in production to boost prices and a move away from industrial-style factory farms. “This crisis has certainly shown that there is a case for moving back toward farming practices which respect the environment,” Fischler said. In addition to Belgium, France, Spain, Ireland, Luxembourg and Austria have petitioned the EU to provide emergency aid to help the beef industry, but the European Commission says that it cannot go beyond the EU’s $36.8 billion farm budget for the year without the agreement of all 15 EU nations. Germany will not approve any increases. “We are in a crisis, and we must show solidarity,” said French Agriculture Minister Jean Glavany. “We have a choice, to support small farms... We must take our responsibility on a European level.” Since October, 2000, demand for beef across the EU has plunged by 27 percent.