PARIS : Farm Union Test Ahead
French farm union leaders will be trying to simultaneously control angry militants in their ranks and protect their public image as protests spread against lower-priced, imported livestock.
Since June, angry French farmers have hijacked at least 19 trucks carrying British and East European lambs. Last week, they slaughtered 386 live lambs on a truck from Scotland, throwing the carcasses into the yard of a local government office. But such violence has alienated celebrated animal rights advocate Brigitte Bardot and others. “This business of killing live animals for the television news turns people off,” a union spokesman said.
A big test comes Thursday in the central French city of Nevers, where union organizers plan a peaceful demonstration.
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