Romanian livestock protest erupts into clashes with police

About 2,000 Romanian farmers and shepherds protested in Bucharest on Tuesday against extending a European Union ban on live sheep exports. The ban is linked by Al Jazeera to the highly contagious small ruminant plague and is due to expire at the end of 2026.

The demonstration escalated outside the government building after some protesters demanding the ban’s reversal threw rocks, metal barriers and other objects at police. Officers responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Riot police said 26 people were detained, while 24 demonstrators and police officers required medical attention. Four people were hospitalised. The figures were reported by police and were not independently verified.

Protesters also carried banners calling for the president and prime minister to resign. The Romanian government and opposition urged demonstrators to avoid violence, while President Nicusor Dan condemned what he described as an attempt to turn a legitimate protest into street fighting.

Far-right groups and supporters of former presidential candidate Calin Georgescu reportedly backed or encouraged the demonstration. The Alliance for the Union of Romanians said it stood with farmers and working Romanians, while calling for a peaceful protest. Georgescu is standing trial over alleged acts against the constitutional order.

The unrest follows a previous protest by Romanian shepherds over the export ban in late July. The country is also facing high inflation, political instability and austerity measures linked to its budget deficit.