A group of French farmers stormed into a Paris farmers’ fair on Saturday before a planned visit by Emmanuel Macron, amid anger over costs and regulations.

Facing dozens of police officers inside the fair, the farmers shouted and booed, calling for the French president’s resignation and using expletives aimed at him.

“This is our home!“, they shouted, as lines of French CRS riot police sought to contain the demonstration. There were some clashes and police arrested at least one protester, a Reuters witness saw.

Macron, who is having breakfast with French farmers’ union leaders, was scheduled to visit the fair afterwards.

He cancelled a debate he had wanted to hold on Saturday with farmers, food processors and retailers at the fair after farmers unions said they would not show up.

Farmers have been protesting across Europe, calling for better income and less bureaucracy and denouncing unfair competition from cheap imported goods.

Macron told reporters after his meeting with union leaders: “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.”

The Paris farm show is a major event in France, attracting about 600,000 visitors over nine days.

Farmers’ protests, which have spread across Europe, come as the far right, for which farmers represent a growing constituency, is predicted to make gains in June’s European parliament elections.

French farmers earlier this month largely suspended protests that included blocking highways and dumping manure in front of public buildings after the prime minister, Gabriel Attal, promised new measures worth €400m (£342m).

But they resumed this week to put pressure on the government to provide more help and deliver on promises.

Source: theguardian.com