A group of French farmers stormed a major Paris farm fair today ahead of a planned visit by Emmanuel Macron amid anger over costs, red tape and green regulations.
Facing dozens of police officers inside the trade fair, the farmers were shouting and booing, calling for the French president’s resignation.
“This is our home!”, they shouted, as lines of French CRS riot police sought to contain the demonstration. There were some clashes with demonstrators and the police arrested at least one of them.
Mr Macron, who had breakfast with French farmers’ union leaders, was scheduled to walk within the alleys of the trade fair afterwards.
“I’m saying this for all farmers: you’re not helping any of your colleagues by smashing up stands, you’re not helping any of your colleagues by making the show impossible, and in a way scaring families away from coming,” Mr Macron told reporters after his meeting with union leaders.