Large numbers of French farmers with over one-thousand tractors have converged on the European Parliament building in Strasbourg, to protest against proposed cuts in EU farm subsidies.

There were also about one-hundred tractors from Germany and more were expected during the day.

A delegation was expected to meet EU officials.

The cuts are part of a package of agricultural reforms to prepare the European Union for future enlargement.

The President of the European Commission, Jacques Santer, said that the reforms were aimed at making European farming more competitive on global markets.