Farmers in Europe increase protests against rising costs, green rules

The French government on Wednesday sent armoured vehicles to protect a wholesale food market in Paris, in a sign of escalating tensions as farmers blocked highways in France and Belgium and protests spread elsewhere in Europe.

Spanish and Italian farmers said they were joining the protest movement, which has also hit Germany, that aims to press governments to ease environmental rules and shield them from rising costs and cheap imports.

Farmers say they are not being paid enough, are choked by taxes and green rules and face unfair competition from abroad.

The protests across Europe precede European Parliament elections in June in which the far right, for whom farmers represent a growing constituency, is seen making gains.