Political situation in France

French farmers spread manure in slaughter protests

Farmers in France have sprayed manure over government buildings in protest against a decision to slaughter hundreds of cows to stop an outbreak of a virus that affects cattle, AFP reports.

Over the weekend, several major roads were also blocked by tractors. The protesters are outraged that a single case of infection led to the slaughter of 200 cows on a farm in the south of the country. The strategy is supported by the country's largest agricultural union, but other groups are critical.

- We will spend Christmas here, says one of the outraged farmers.

Cedric rages against the French government: "We are at war"

French farmers have no plans to stop blocking roads in protest against the government's attempt to stop a virus outbreak among cattle by slaughtering cows. Cedric Nespoulo, who is taking part in a roadblock, told AFP that the government must give up in order for the protests to end.

“We are at war,” he said, according to the news agency.

The country’s largest agricultural union supports the government, but several others are critical, saying the measures are disproportionate to the risks.