Horsebreeder dumps manure outside French parliament in protest over VAT
A truck dumped a huge pile of manure outside France's National Assembly on Thursday, in a protest against a VAT hike.
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The lorry, which was marked with the slogan "Out with Hollande and the whole political class!", was stopped by police shortly after depositing several tonnes of its load outside the front gates of the Palais Bourbon, the building which houses France's lower house of parliament, the National Assembly.
According to security staff at the parliament building, the driver of the truck was a horsebreeder, protesting against a rise in VAT for horse-riding clubs from 7 to 20 per cent.
They say he has already carried out similar protests twice.
The government raised VAT in this sector in order to comply with EU rules. In response to the protests, it has proposed a “horse fund” to give help to those in the sector and says it will open talks at EU level to try to negotiate a lower tax.
The driver was taken to a nearby police station and is expected to face charges.
The manure was quickly removed by the Paris city cleaning department.
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