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Europe fuel protests spread wider Europe fuel protests spread wider
(about 2 hours later)
Fuel protests triggered by rising oil prices have spread to more countries across Europe, with thousands of fishermen on strike.Fuel protests triggered by rising oil prices have spread to more countries across Europe, with thousands of fishermen on strike.
In Spain, Europe's largest fish producer, the action is expected to bring the industry to a halt. In Spain, Europe's largest fish producer, the action is expected to bring the industry to a halt, as thousands demonstrate in Madrid.
Fishermen in France have been protesting for weeks, and their counterparts in Portugal, Belgium and Italy are also joining the campaign. French fishermen have been protesting for weeks, and Portuguese, Belgian and Italian colleagues are also involved.
UK and Dutch lorry-drivers held similar protests earlier this week.UK and Dutch lorry-drivers held similar protests earlier this week.
The strike reflects anger at the rising cost of fuel, with oil prices above $130 (83.40 euros; £65.80) a barrel.The strike reflects anger at the rising cost of fuel, with oil prices above $130 (83.40 euros; £65.80) a barrel.
Trade unions say the cost of diesel has become prohibitively high, after rising 300% over the past five years.Trade unions say the cost of diesel has become prohibitively high, after rising 300% over the past five years.
Wholesale fish prices, meanwhile, have been static for 20 years.Wholesale fish prices, meanwhile, have been static for 20 years.
Map showing countries involved in protest Map showing countries involved in protest
The European Commission has promised immediate help to restructure Europe's fishing industry, but it says subsidies to offset rising fuel costs would be illegal. The protesters are calling for direct immediate aid for the fisheries industry, coupled with increased subsidies.
The European Commission said in a statement it was willing to show flexibility towards the industry but it has ruled out subsidies to offset rising fuel costs.
Short-term aid packages were acceptable as long as they were used to address structural deficiencies in the fleets, it said.
Burning tyresBurning tyres
We must mobilise like the French and if we have to block ports, we'll block them Xavier Aboy, union leader Rising fuel prices: European viewsQ&A: Record oil pricesWe must mobilise like the French and if we have to block ports, we'll block them Xavier Aboy, union leader Rising fuel prices: European viewsQ&A: Record oil prices
Several thousand fishermen are expected to march on the agriculture ministry in Madrid, where they have promised to hand out 20 tonnes of fresh fish to members of the public in an attempt to draw attention to their ailing industry. Several thousand fishermen marched on the agriculture ministry in Madrid, where they handed out 20 tonnes of fresh fish to members of the public in an attempt to draw attention to their ailing industry.
Spanish trade unions also say they could blockade ports, a day after French police forcibly removed fishermen blocking oil depots. Many blew whistles and waved placards depicting dead fish.
"We must mobilise like the French and if we have to block ports, we'll block them," Xavier Aboy, a union leader in the north-western Galicia region, told AFP news agency. One union leader in Barcelona said the country's fishing fleet was at a standstill.
"Compliance is total. The entire Spanish coast is at a halt," Jose Caparros told AFP news agency.
The unions also say they could blockade ports, a day after French police forcibly removed fishermen blocking oil depots.
"We must mobilise like the French and if we have to block ports, we'll block them," Xavier Aboy, a union leader in the north-western Galicia region, told AFP.
In France the authorities have offered 100m euros in aid, prompting some fishermen to return to work.In France the authorities have offered 100m euros in aid, prompting some fishermen to return to work.
Protests around France have led to arrestsAt dawn on Thursday, French riot police cleared protesters from the Mediterranean oil depots of Fos-sur-Mer and Lavera, and a Total refinery at La Mede in the south. Spanish unions say the entire coast is at a standstillAt dawn on Thursday, French riot police cleared protesters from the Mediterranean oil depots of Fos-sur-Mer and Lavera, and a Total refinery at La Mede in the south.
On the same day police clashed with protesters who burned tyres in the Atlantic port of Lorient, while hundreds protested in Quimper, Brittany. On the same day police clashed with fishermen who burned tyres in the Atlantic port of Lorient, while hundreds protested in Quimper, Brittany.
On Friday, protesters blockaded the Channel port of Le Havre.
Hundreds of farmers have also been blocking oil terminals near the cities of Dijon and Toulouse.Hundreds of farmers have also been blocking oil terminals near the cities of Dijon and Toulouse.
In Italy, at least 5,000 fishermen are expected to strike, the main trade union Federcoopesca says. The government has already refused emergency aid to the industry.In Italy, at least 5,000 fishermen are expected to strike, the main trade union Federcoopesca says. The government has already refused emergency aid to the industry.
But the BBC's David Willey in Rome says many fishermen are adopting a wait-and-see policy as talks with the government continue, and in the Adriatric ports the response to the strike has been mixed.
"No boats went out" in Portugal, a union leader there said, and in the central port of Peniche boat owners set up a barrier to prevent unloading.
Bulgarian bus drivers are also planning a one-hour strike on Friday, following protests by lorry-drivers on Wednesday.Bulgarian bus drivers are also planning a one-hour strike on Friday, following protests by lorry-drivers on Wednesday.
FISHERMEN'S PROTESTS France: Many returning to work after several weeks of action after government offers 100m euro aid packageSpain: Thousands to take part in Madrid protestItaly: 5,000 expected to strike, emergency aid refusedPortugal: indefinite strike from midnight (2300 GMT on Thursday)Belgium: Dozens demonstrating in the capital Brussels Click here to return FISHERMEN'S PROTESTS France: Many returning to work after several weeks of action after government offers 100m euro aid packageSpain: Thousands taking part in Madrid protestItaly: 5,000 expected to strike, emergency aid refusedPortugal: Indefinite strike from midnight (2300 GMT on Thursday)Belgium: Dozens demonstrating in the capital Brussels Click here to return
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