Wine war: French ambassador summoned over Spanish truck attacks
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Spain’s Foreign Ministry has summoned France’s ambassador after French farmers hijacked Spanish trucks at the border and drained their cargo of wine.
This is an unacceptable situation between two countries that are partners and friends
It happened at a toll barrier at Le Boulou in southern France.
Those involved say they are angry about unfair competition.
“During 2015, there were 7.2 million hectolitres of foreign-made wine, we don’t accept that, we suspect fraud,” said Frederic Rouanet, President of the Aude winemakers’ union.
The French demonstrators say they want to protect their products in the face of cheap wine coming from Spain and Italy.
“An inquiry will be held in the European Commission against the French Republic for the attacks against Spanish lorries,” said Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo, Spanish Foreign Minister.
“This is an unacceptable situation between two countries that are partners and friends.”
Madrid also protested in July last year, when French farmers targeted Spanish trucks carrying milk and meat.
The farmers have been angry over falling food prices, which they put down to foreign competition, supermarkets and distributors.
Those protesting are vowing to keep up their fight.