1.
GV demonstrators along road headed by two cows. (2 shots)
0.21

2.
SV Belgium farmers carrying banners.
0.35

3.
SV Farmers carrying cartoon placards satirizing milk price
0.40

4.
GV French farmers carrying flags.
0.43

5.
CU Man winding hooter followed by German farmers (2 shots)
0.53

6.
GTV Farmers march towards stadium.
0.56

7.
SV PAN Farmers in stadium holding banners.
1.05

8.
SV Belgium farmers and Luxembourg farmers. (3 shots)
1.20

9.
SV Farmers march around stadium carrying stuffed bull... and play "LAST POST". (2 shots)
1.49



Initials RH/2025 RH/PK/AW/2055



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Thousands of French farmers demonstrated in Rheims on Tuesday (17 February) for higher produce prices from the Common Market Price Review now underway in Brussels.

They were jointed by farmers delegations from Belgium, West Germany, and Luxembourg in a campaign to win support for the rejection of the annual price increase proposals for mild and beef. They say the proposed increases are not high enough.

The Common Market Commission had proposed a 7.5 percent average farm price rise. However, the abolition of border taxes to farmers, fluctuating currency values and the France-Italian wine dispute have wrecked any chance of a speedy agreement.

Without compensation, the Commission's 7.5 per cent price rise proposal would vary drastically for thousands of farmers in the Common Market.

For example German farmers would get virtually no price rise without border taxes because of the strength of the Mark. And France has declared that there can be no farm price package without including wine.

Meanwhile, Italy has refused to discuss the wine issue until France removes a 12 per cent tax on Italian wine Imports.

Another major area of contention is beef. The U.K.is opposing the Commission's plan to phase out direct beef subsidies to farmers. And France and the Irish Republic are particularly angered by a proposal for a two-tier milk price.