French ambassador summoned over wine protests

The foreign ministry in Madrid has summoned France’s ambassador after French farmers seized Spanish lorries and drained their cargo of wine.

Spain said the attack by the French protesters was a “flagrant violation of various basic principles” of the EU.

On Monday, farmers protesting against unfair competition attacked the lorries at a border crossing.

The farmers blame falling food prices on foreign rivalry, supermarkets and distributors.

Spanish farming organisations say tens of thousands of litres of wine were dumped as five vehicles were targeted near Le Boulou, in southern France.

The Spanish government says it reported the incident to the European Commission.