Fishermen get aid pledge in France

France’s government is to speed up financial aid for fishermen – many of whom have led angry protests over high fuel prices.

Farms and Fishing Minister Michel Barnier said the government will give fishermen €110m by the end of the year and pay a total of €310m in aid over two years – instead of three as laid out in a previously planned aid programme.

The announcement comes after urgent meetings between industry groups and government officials.

Before the move, fishermen have clashed with riot police in Paris as part of recent protests that disrupted operations at ports and oil terminals on French coasts.

The government announcement has prompted the head of a top group of professional fishermen to call on its members to return to work.