French fishermen have clashed with police in Paris as they stepped up protests over rising fuel costs.

- 21 / 05 / 2008 19:31

Protesters threw flares and police fired tear gas outside the agriculture ministry, where Minister Michel Barnier was meeting fishing unions.

Ferry traffic with the UK has also ground to a halt, with fishing fleets blockading several French ports. The disruption spread to British roads.

It comes as France braces for a major strike over pension reforms.

Workers are due to walk out for 36 hours, starting on Wednesday evening, to protest against President Nicolas Sarkozy's plans to make people work for 41 years, rather then the current 40, before being able to draw a full pension.

The fishermen say rapidly rising prices for diesel threaten them with bankruptcy. They are demanding a greater subsidy from the French government, in effect putting a cap on prices.

But fishermen say that agreement is redundant, since fuel has become 30% more expensive since the start of the year.

As the minister met union representatives in Paris on Wednesday, as many as 200 fishermen gathered outside.

Dozens of flares were thrown, injuring up to four policemen, according to reports.

Riot police surrounded the building and responded with tear gas.

AFP