By Chris Mercer
23/04/2007 - Militant winemakers have claimed responsibility for explosions and fires at several supermarkets in southern France, raising concerns of a return to violence in the region.
Minor explosions at supermarkets across Languedoc Roussillon, from the cities of Narbonne to Nimes, may signify the re-start of a campaign by the region's militant winemaker group, Comité d'Action Viticole (CAV).
Many Languedoc winemakers remain heavily in debt as a result of France's recent travails on the world wine market, and fear they will be hit hard by EU plans to rip out 400,000 vines in its upcoming wine reform programme.
No one was injured in the supermarket attacks, although the force of the explosions was enough to blow out windows at some of the retailers.
Police arrested the head of a local wine co-operative, l'Occitane. He was being held in Montpellier on Monday.
It is a tense situation that threatens to cause more disruption to wine trade in the region, while critics warn that CAV members could further harm France's image in the wine world.
http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/ng.asp?id=75962
No word on who the French surrendered to, themselves, possibly?
1 comment:
What is the "EU wine reform programme"??? Ripping out 400,000 vines.
DoOes this mean that my Raisen Bran will start costing more or will they only use one scoop now??
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