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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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French Winemakers Turn to Terror

Wine growers battling cheap imports launch commando attacks

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(Newser) – Tough times have turned some wine-growers in southwestern France to "wine terrorism," Time reports. Guerrilla grape-growers have bombed supermarkets and government buildings, hijacked trucks carrying foreign wine, and drained tanks. The growers want the French government to protect them from the cheap imports they say are threatening their survival.

The price French wine-growers get for their crop has plummeted in recent years as less-expensive vino flows in from around the globe. The wine commandos say violent action is the only way to get the government to take their concerns seriously. A video message from the group to Nicolas Sarkozy warned "blood will flow" if the growers don't receive help.

Wine tanks filled with 13000 hectoliters of imported Chilian wine are emptied by vineyard owners May 25, 2005 in Prades le Lez, near Montpelier, France
Wine tanks filled with 13000 hectoliters of imported Chilian wine are emptied by vineyard owners May 25, 2005 in Prades le Lez, near Montpelier, France   (Getty Images)
A commando vineyard owner empties one of 13 wine tanks filled with 13000 hectoliters of imported Chilian wine May 25, 2005 in Prades le Lez, near Montpelier, France.
A commando vineyard owner empties one of 13 wine tanks filled with 13000 hectoliters of imported Chilian wine May 25, 2005 in Prades le Lez, near Montpelier, France.   (Getty Images)
Grape-pickers harvests grapes in southwestern France in this file photo. Competition from foreign wines has hurt France's grape-growers and some have turned to violence to protest imports.
Grape-pickers harvests grapes in southwestern France in this file photo. Competition from foreign wines has hurt France's grape-growers and some have turned to violence to protest imports.   (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
French teachers and vintners demonstrate on June 4, 2008 in Carcassonne, southern France in support of viticulture.
French teachers and vintners demonstrate on June 4, 2008 in Carcassonne, southern France in support of viticulture.   (Getty Images)
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