France: Farmers block German trucks on border as food prices sky-rocket

French farmers continued to block trucks bringing German products over the border near the town of Strasbourg, Monday, in a bid to stop foreign products entering the country. The protest is just one of many around the country that have come as a response to the falling price of agricultural products in France, with many blaming foreign imports and rising supermarket prices. The protesters used hay-bail blockades to stop the German trucks, checking the origin of the trucks’ loads and stopping many of the vehicles from reaching their destination. Members of agricultural organistions including the Group of Mutual Agricultural Insurances (Groupama) and the National Federation of Agricultural Holders' Unions (FNSEA) helped organised the demo. Similar road blocks popped up in the north-eastern Alsace region, as well as on the Spanish border. Large demonstrations have taken place in cities and towns such as Evreux, Caen and Lyon since last week, with farmers also obstructing supermarkets and government buildings with tyres, shopping trolleys and hay bales. According to the farmers the falling prices of beef, pork and milk are crippling their incomes. The French government has announced that it will support the farmers with a €600m ($655mn) aid package, but actions are expected to continue as many feel this is not enough and long term solutions are needed.