Tractor protesters clog Paris streets

More than 1,000 tractors descended on Paris today as farmers protested over falling grain incomes and demanded government help.

One of the vehicles had a sign directed at first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy saying: “Carla, help us, we can’t live on love and water.”

The FNSEA union said 10,000 farmers and 1,200 tractors took part in the march across Paris.

The farmers blame commodities markets, the government and the EU for falling grain prices, rising social charges and stifling environmental regulations and paperwork.

The demonstration came the day before European Union Agriculture Commissioner Dacian Ciolos visits Paris.

France’s agriculture minister says he will seek EU help to boost grain prices.