MOSCOW, September 20 (RIA Novosti) - Protesting farmers in Morlaix, Brittany have set fire to government buildings, Reuters reported Saturday.
"Nothing can justify these acts of violence," France's Agriculture Minister Stephane Le Foll was quoted by Reuters as saying Saturday.
According to news agency, the protesters set fire to public buildings and dumped in the streets the vegetables, including artichokes, broccoli and potatoes, that they were unable to sell at the desired rates. The protesters also obstructed the work of the fire brigade.
"It is particularly shocking that the fire service was prevented from doing its job," French Prime Minister Manuel Valls was quoted by Reuters as saying. "Legal proceedings will be carried out against the perpetrators of these acts."
According to BBC News, the main reasons behind the protests are the falling prices and export levels caused by the Russian embargo on Western food imports.
In response to Western sanctions imposed against Russia over the Ukrainian crisis, Moscow implemented on August 7 a one-year import ban on certain food products from the European Union, the United States, Australia, Canada and Norway.
