Truckers cause fuel chaos

Petrol shortages began to cripple service stations around France as truck drivers and farmers protesting at the high cost of diesel fuel blockaded oil refineries. There were also signs that the protests might set to spread to other European countries, with farmers and truck drivers in Spain and Belgium threatening similar action later in September. The French Transport Minister, Mr Gayssot, called for concerted EU pressure on oil producing countries (Opec) to lower oil prices. The European Commission says it will investiagte whether the French action breaks EU law on freedom of movement of goods.

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