Sheep farmers’ protest in Bucharest escalates into clashes with police
In Bucharest, Romania, a protest by sheep farmers near the government building escalated into clashes with law enforcement. Groups of demonstrators breached security cordons and threw objects at officers, while police used tear gas, Balkan Insight reports.
Tear gas and detentions
About 15 people, including seven gendarmes, required medical assistance after being exposed to tear gas. Four people were detained over violent behavior.
President Nicușor Dan condemned the incidents, saying that attacks, physical assaults and acts of vandalism are unacceptable and must be strictly punished in accordance with the law. Acting Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said that he respects citizens’ legal right to peaceful protest, but that Tuesday’s events escalated into violence.
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Export ban and drought compensation
Thousands of sheep farmers from different regions of Romania protested against the extension until the end of the year of a ban on live sheep exports. The European Commission introduced the measure after outbreaks of peste des petits ruminants, citing insufficient preventive measures by the Romanian authorities.
Farmers growing agricultural crops also joined the action and are dissatisfied with reduced drought compensation. They said they had previously been promised 100 euros per hectare of affected crops, but the payment will now amount to 19 euros per hectare. The farmers believe this sum is significantly lower than the losses caused by the prolonged drought.
