THOUSANDS of trucks blocked highways and roads across France in ongoing protests over an environmental tax that continue to smoulder, despite the government putting the levy on ice.
The Interior Ministry said around 2200 trucks were taking part in the protest over the proposed tax on trucks of over 3.5 tonnes - slightly more than the last protest by transporters two weeks ago. A transport union put the figure at 4500 trucks.
Tens of thousands of small business owners and workers have demonstrated over the tax in the past month, calling it the last straw after a string of punishing tax increases, particularly on business.
Further protests were planned later on Saturday in Brittany, where the revolt was started in October by a group of farmers and food producers known as the Bonnets Rouges (Red Caps).
To defuse tensions the government has suspended the implementation of the tax, which had been due to come into effect in 2014.
Agriculture Minister Stephane Le Foll said on Friday it would not take effect until at least 2015.
The OTRE transport union and Brittany's Bonnet Rouges are demanding that the tax be scrapped altogether.
The protests are seen as the expression of deep frustration with the Socialist government's economic policy.
Faced with a bloated budget deficit, the government's response has mainly been to raise taxes, avoiding the deep spending cuts seen elsewhere in Europe.
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