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French farmers have started a three-day blockade of refineries after a decision by Total to import cheaper palm oil for its biofuel plant. The move has fanned farmer discontent over unfair competition.

The Vatry fuel depot in the Marne region of northeastern France was the first to be blocked on Sunday evening as about 100 farmers set up barricades with tractors and mounds of rubble.

On Monday, a total of 13 sites were being picketed by members of the French farmers' union FNSEA, union boss Christiane Lambert said in an interview with France Info television.

Lambert said the blockades were intended to pressure the French government over recent trade agreements that would allow imports of meat, sugar, and ethanol from countries "that do not respect the same conditions of production as French products."  Total's decision to import palm oil for biofuel refinery was only "the last straw," she added.

The French oil and gas company operates five refineries and nine petrol depots in France. Recently, it has invested €275 million ($324 million) to transform a refinery at La Mede, in southern France, into a plant that can make 500,000 tons of biodiesel per year.

The company stressed though that no more than 50 percent of raw material used at the facility would be imported palm oil, and that all suppliers were certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil.

Total also said it had taken measures together with authorities to limit disruptions, and urged clients not to rush to petrol stations to fill their tanks, which could spark panic buying and shortages.

Source: Deutsche Welle