In Paris on Wednesday, 50 protesting farmers were arrested after breaking into the Ministry of Agriculture building, expressing outrage at the government's response to the industry's problems, reports LETA citing AFP.
French farmers have been protesting and blocking roads since December, expressing dissatisfaction with the country's agricultural policy.
Despite Prime Minister Sebastian Lecornu's promise to introduce an "emergency bill" aimed at alleviating the farmers' situation, some of them continued their blockades and protests on Wednesday. Sporadic actions are planned for Thursday as well.
About 100 members of the union "Confédération Paysanne" broke into part of the ministry's building, holding it for an hour to express their condemnation of the government's agricultural policy.
Police reported that 50 individuals were arrested and taken into custody on charges of "disturbing public order" and several "criminal offenses."
A representative of the ministry filed a complaint, police added.
The "Confédération Paysanne" reported that 52 people were detained and called for a gathering at a police station in northern Paris to condemn the government's "ongoing disrespect" towards farmers.
"The Ministry of Agriculture filed a complaint against a peaceful protest conducted without any violence," the union stated, calling for the release of the activists.
On Tuesday, Lecornu announced that he had tasked Agriculture Minister Anne Genevard with preparing an "emergency agricultural bill" to address farmers' issues.
However, farmer associations oppose this bill, deeming it insufficient.
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