Protesters goaded police with smoke bombs and potatoes on Thursday (December 18) as European Union leaders met to discuss trade and agricultural policy.

Hundreds of farmers drove tractors into Brussels, sounding horns and providing cover for protesters throwing projectiles at police.

By mid-morning police responded with power water hoses aimed at close protesters.

Farmers from across Europe say the sector has been in crisis for years and accuse the EU of undermining their livelihoods through trade deals such as Mercosur and potential cuts to the Common Agricultural Policy budget.

The demonstration hopes to add pressure on EU leaders as they weigh budget priorities and trade agreements that farmers fear will increase competition and lower prices.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. MASKED PROTESTER PICKING UP SMOKE BOMB AND THROWING IN DIRECTION OF POLICE

2. POLICE AT BARRIER

3. MASKED PROTESTER GESTURING AT POLICE

4. PEOPLE WATCHING

5. PILE OF POTATOES

6. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS THROWING POTATOES AT POLICE

7. POLICE GETTING WATER HOSE READY

8. TRACTORS

9. PHOTOGRAPHER HIDING FROM PROJECTILES AND WATER

10. TRACTORS MOVING IN TO PROVIDE COVER FOR PROTESTERS

11. PEOPLE WATCHING

12. PROTESTERS THROWING PROJECTILES AT POLICE / POLICE USING WATER HOSES

13. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS THROWING PROJECTILES AT POLICE AND POLICE RESPONDING WITH WATER HOSES

14. VARIOUS OF TRACTORS DRIVING PAST

15. PEOPLE WATCHING

16. SMOKE BOMB GOING OFF

17. PROTESTERS IN MASKS IN FRONT OF TRACTORS

18. PROTESTERS THROWING SMOKE BOMBS, TRACTORS MOVING