Fishermen hold protests over rising fuel costs 05/11/2007 00:00

5 November 2007

BREST (AFP) - Several hundred French fishermen held a fourth day of protests on Monday against rising fuel costs, disrupting traffic at several ports.

Some 300 fisherman blocked access to the port of Brest, setting fire to crates and preventing trucks from refueling. There were also protests in Dieppe where cross-Channel traffic was disrupted for several hours.

Protesting fishermen blocked roads and access to fueling stations at the ports in Douarnenez, Lorient and in Sables d'Olonne along the Atlantic coast.

"This is a show of force and we need to take a stand," said Robert Bougueon, president the local fishermen's association in Guilvinec, a port in Brittany.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Michel Barnier has offered to meet with representatives of the fishermen on Wednesday.   Barnier has announced 27 million euros (30 million dollars) "in various support payments" for the fishermen who launched their protests on Friday after the price of fuel hit 1.14 euros per litre.

Fishermen however receive tax breaks that bring the price down to 0.52 euro cents. They maintain that their fleets are not financial feasible if fuel costs rise above 0.30 euro cents per litre.

AFP

Subject: French news