FRANCE-GERMANY/FARMERS French farmers block German border in protest over "unfair competition"

Record ID: 146141

  • Title: FRANCE-GERMANY/FARMERS French farmers block German border in protest over "unfair competition"
  • Date: 27th July 2015
  • Summary: STRASBOURG, FRANCE (JULY 27, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CARS DRIVING PAST FRENCH TRACTORS BLOCKING TRUCKS' ROAD INTO FRANCE ON BORDER WITH GERMANY SMALL FIRE BURNING ON SIDE OF ROAD GERMAN-REGISTERED TRUCK DRIVING PAST FIRE PAN ALONG FRENCH TRACTORS TO GROUP OF FARMERS SEATED ON SIDE OF ROAD FARMERS SEATED VARIOUS OF FRENCH FARMERS ASKING TRUCK DRIVER WHETHER HE SPEAKS FRE
  • Embargoed: 11th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVADZCDL76L43LWOZ58ZKHBBURBV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: French farmers continued a blockade of six roads on the border with Germany on Monday (July 27) in protest over "unfair competition" from German agricultural products.
    Among the roads blocked to trucks coming from Germany was the access over the river Rhine between the German town of Kehl and the French city of Strasbourg.
    Farmers were seen checking trucks' goods before they let drivers continue into France provided their load did not consist of agriculture produce.
    The protesters said German products were advantaged because German farmers employ less expensive labourers from eastern Europe.
    "Seasonal workers in Germany are paid 7.40 euros an hour while we pay them 9,80 euros," said French farmer Benoit Schmitt from the Alsace region.
    "I don't think that's right and salaries for seasonal workers should be uniform across Europe," Schmitt said.
    French farmers also blocked a highway in southeastern France and forced Spanish trucks to turn around, according to German media.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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