We are used to local farmers holding demonstrations and blocking roads in their continuing fight to prevent land being declassified as "unfavourable". Such changes could mean loss of subsidies up to 8000 euros as the EU aims to simplify the common agricultural policy by asking member states to decide locally who should be supported.
Farmers in Ariege affected by these changes claim the Minister of Agriculture has failed to reply to their demands and so decided to demonstrate during Tuesday's stage of the Tour de France as it passed through their area.
But things went wrong when police decided to clear the hay bales and demonstrators with pepper spray. Unfortunately the wind blew the spray back on to the riders, causing a hold up whilst they were treated by medics.
A spokesman for the farmers said their aim was to disrupt the Tour to highlight their case and the problems caused to the riders and spectators was the fault of the police.
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