France protests: Police clash with protesters in row over plans for new reservoir
Police cars burned, demonstrators threw fireworks and officers fired tear gas into the crowds when thousands descended on a farm in western France to protest against plans for an irrigation reservoir.
Saturday 25 March 2023 16:38, UK
Loading Placeholder Image – Sky News Logo0:55
Play Video – Police fire tear gas at protesters
Police clashed with protesters in France
Why you can trust Sky News
Police in France have clashed with thousands of people protesting against plans for a farm irrigation project.
The demonstrators were met by 3,000 police at the site of a planned reservoir in the rural district of Sainte-Soline in western France.
Police fired tear gas in bid to repel protesters who threw fireworks as they crossed fields to the fenced-off construction area.
At least two police cars caught fire, television footage showed.
The protesters marched despite a ban on gatherings in the district, angry at plans for the creation of a large water reservoir for farm irrigation.
France’s worst drought on record last summer – which was also felt across the UK and Europe – sharpened the debate over water resources in agriculture.
Supporters say artificial reservoirs are a way to use water efficiently when needed, while critics argue they are outsized and favour large farms.
Read more:
Emmanuel Macron criticised after slowly taking off expensive watch during interview
Analysis – postponed state visit is embarrassing for Macron
Similar protests erupted last October and resulted in injuries.
Protesters clash with French police over plans for irrigation reservoir
Protesters clash with French police over plans for irrigation reservoir
The unrest over the irrigation project comes after weeks of demonstrations in France against a pension reform that sees the retirement age rise from 62 to 64.
The protests have turned violent since the government pushed through the legislation without a final parliamentary vote, with piles of rubbish set alight on the streets of Paris, riot police firing tear gas and more than 300 arrests.
The King’s state visit to France, which was due to begin on Sunday, has been postponed amid the ongoing violence and unrest.
Related Topics
France
France Protests
