Romanian Sheep Farmers’ Protest Turns Violent in Bucharest

A protest by Romanian sheep farmers in front of the government building in Bucharest descended into clashes on Tuesday, with riot police using tear gas as groups of demonstrators broke through security cordons and threw objects at officers. Around 15 people, including seven gendarmes, required medical assistance after being exposed to tear gas. Four people were detained for violent behaviour. President Nicusor Dan condemned the incidents. “Attacks and assaults, as well as acts of vandalism, are unacceptable and must be severely punished in accordance with the law,” Dan said. Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said he respected all citizens’ legal right to peaceful protest but Tuesday’s events “degenerated into regrettable acts of violence”. Thousands of sheep farmers from across Romania had gathered to protest the extension of a ban on live sheep exports until the end of the year. The European Commission imposed the measure following outbreaks of Peste des Petits Ruminants, or sheep and goat plague, citing insufficient preventive measures by Romanian authorities. Crop farmers also joined the protest, angered by reduced drought compensation. Although they had been promised 100 euros for every hectare of affected crops, they will now receive only 19 euros per hectare, which they say is far below the losses caused by the prolonged drought.