News

French fishermen blockaded three major ports on the English Channel for a second day Wednesday, cutting European distribution routes, stranding travellers and costing ferry companies lucrative business and the disruption could continue for some time.
 

The blockade of Calais, Dunkirk and Boulogne was the latest display of frustration by workers in France.

Trawlers blocked ships from entering or leaving the ports. The fishermen are protesting catch quotas they call too low for them to earn a living. They say they plan to continue blocking the northern French ports indefinitely.

The French government said it may consider providing financial support to the fishing industry, but called the quotas reasonable.

The blockades have halted the operation of almost all passenger ferries from Dover to the French ports.

Operation stack, which closes sections of the M20  has been implemented and lorries are being parked on the motorway between Maidstone and Ashford.