January 30, 2014

About 100 activists belonging to the Peasant Confederation (Confédération Paysanne), an agricultural union that promotes organic farming, protested and blocked a 1,000-cow dairy farm under construction in France.

In a bid to stop the construction of the large dairy farm, which is located between Drucat and Buigny-Saint Maclou in the Somme, they handcuffed themselves to posts.

According to the activists, the farm is a "symbol of industrial agriculture which kills countrymen".

Construction magnate Michel Ramery is determined to build the unit on a 5.7-hectare farm, which would become the largest dairy farm in the country. He plans to open the farm this spring, which will house up to 1,000 cows in a 234-metre barn.

But protesters have been increasing their activity against the €11 million (US$15 million) project since March 14 last year after French authorities granted permission for the construction of the building.