Farmers joined in on a "flash" event outside the European Parliament in a bid to highlight unfair trading practices by retail giants.
MEPs joined farmers and producers' groups in Strasbourg ahead of a key vote on Thursday (25 October) on proposals to deliver a fairer deal for farmers and protection from bullying by major supermarket chains.
Copa Cogeca, the European farmers' and co-operatives trade body, organised the event which saw tractors parked outside the parliament building with a message "#CutTheUnfair".
West Midlands MEP, Anthea McIntyre, Conservative agriculture spokesperson, also attended the event.
Miss McIntyre has played a key role in aiming to protect farmers and suppliers from sharp practice, including late payments and last-minute cancellation of contracts for fresh produce.
One of her proposals draws on the experience of the UK's Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), a position created in 2013 to re-evaluate the relationship between supermarkets and their suppliers.
After the event, Miss McIntyre said: "We were aiming to send a clear message to any wavering MEPs that farmers and growers are not seeking special status - just respect and fairness from the businesses which ultimately depend on them.
"It would be good if this could happen everywhere without the intervention of politicians or regulation, but sadly there a some big businesses out there that will seek to take unfair advantage from what they see as a one-sided relationship.
She added: "I am pleased that the UK has taken a lead in providing a solution and set the course for the rest of Europe."
The European Parliament approved its negotiating mandate for a new law to do away with unfair trading in the food supply chain, approved by 428 votes in favour to 170 against and 18 abstentions.
