Farmers protesting against the low prices received for their produce have smashed thousands of eggs outside tax offices in Carhaix, Brittany. The protests began on Tuesday when farmers organised an egg-throwing protest at a supermarket in nearby Côtes d'Armor.

The farmers have promised to return and continue smashing 100,000 eggs each day – 5 percent of their combined production – for the rest of the week (or until their demands are met). They want to see a 5 percent reduction in French egg production, which they claim will drive up their returns. The problem of overproduction is also threatening producers in other EU states.  

When new EU animal welfare legislation came into force in 2012, France was one of the 14 states to remain in violation of the new rules. In June 2012, ten EU states, France amongst them, were still not compliant with new laws banning 'unenriched' battery cages, but French farmers finally achieved compliance before the end of the year and the country was not referred to the EU Court of Justice, as had been threatened by the European Commission.

Despite the fact that farmers had around 14 years to prepare for the 2012 welfare laws, those protesting in Brittany said that achieving compliance with the new regulation has increased their costs and caused returns to drop below the cost of production.

The farmers told press agency AFP that, whilst egg production costs 0.95 cents per kilogram, producers are paid 0.75 cents on average. They added that rising feed prices had also impacted on production costs.     

The number of farmers involved in the protest is thought to be relatively small. The informal group communicates through a single spokesperson who has so far remained anonymous. The spokesperson said the farmers are ready to give their surplus eggs away "to developing countries," but added "they cannot remain in French territory."

The group has threatened more radical action if their protests go unheeded beyond Sunday evening.