France rolls out supports for livestock farmers

France has announced a €290m plan to help livestock farmers protesting against a slump in pork and milk prices, and poultry farmers facing a freeze in output due to the spread of bird flu.

French Agriculture Minister Stephane Le Foll said the government would also provide an additional €500m in cash advances, Reuters reports.

Livestock farmers have been blocking roads in several parts of Brittany, in north-western France, with trailers, tractors and piles of mud for over a week in protest against low prices.