French sheep farmers protest against protection of wolves

French farmers walk ahead of hundreds of sheep as they stage a protest against the government's "Plan loup" (wolf project) which protects wolves which the farmers blame for livestock deaths and financial losses, in Lyon, France, October 9, 2017. REUTERS/Robert Pratta

LYON, France (Reuters) - Farmers trucked hundreds of sheep into a central square in the French city of Lyon on Monday in protest against the government's protection of wolves, which they blame for livestock deaths and heavy financial losses.

European wolves were hunted to extinction in France in the 1930s but a pair crossed the Alps from Italy in the early 1990s and they now number about 360 in packs scattered across the country, according to wildlife groups.

As their population has rebounded, they have encroached increasingly on farmland.

A French farmer stands near hundreds of sheep during a protest against the government's "Plan loup" (wolf project) which protects wolves which the farmers blame for livestock deaths and financial losses, in Lyon, France, October 9, 2017. Placard reads, "In 2015 wolves killed 9,000 domesticated animals in France". REUTERS/Robert Pratta

"10,000 animals killed every year by the wolf," read one banner

Michele Boudoin, president of the National Sheep Federation, said wolves were costing livestock producers 26 million euros a year compared with 1.5 million euros in 2004.

"Enough with the wolf," Boudoin exclaimed. "At some point you have to choose between farmers and the wolf."

French farmers walk ahead of hundreds of sheep as they stage a protest against the government's "Plan loup" (wolf project) which protects wolves which the farmers blame for livestock deaths and financial losses, in Lyon, France, October 9, 2017. REUTERS/Robert Pratta

A new five-year government plan allows a small number of wolves to be culled each year, according to French media, but farmers are demanding the right to shoot dead any wolf that attacks their herds.

(Reporting by Catherine Lagrange in Lyon; Writing by Richard Lough; Editing by Gareth Jones)

French farmers stand near hundreds of sheep during a protest against the government's "Plan loup" (wolf project) which protects wolves which the farmers blame for livestock deaths and financial losses, in Lyon, France, October 9, 2017. Placard reads, "In 2015 wolves killed 9,000 domesticated animals in France". REUTERS/Robert Pratta

Hundreds of sheep gather as French farmers (rear) stage a protest against the government's "Plan loup" (wolf project) as the farmers seek to protect their livestock against attacks by wolves, in Lyon, France, October 9, 2017. REUTERS/Robert Pratta

French farmers stage a protest against the government's "Plan loup" (wolf project) as the farmers seek to protect their livestock against attacks by wolves, in Lyon, France, October 9, 2017. REUTERS/Robert Pratta

A French farmer stands near hundreds of sheep during a protest against the government's "Plan loup" (wolf project) which protects wolves which the farmers blame for livestock deaths and financial losses, in Lyon, France, October 9, 2017. REUTERS/Robert Pratta

A French farmer stands near hundreds of sheep during a protest against the government's "Plan loup" (wolf project) which protects wolves that the farmers blame for livestock deaths and financial losses, in Lyon, France, October 9, 2017. REUTERS/Robert Pratta

Hundreds of sheep are seen during a protest by French farmers against the government's "Plan loup" (wolf project) which protects wolves that the farmers blame for livestock deaths and financial losses, in Lyon, France, October 9, 2017. REUTERS/Robert Pratta

French farmers walk with hundreds of sheep during a protest against the government's "Plan loup" (wolf project) that protects wolves which the farmers blame for livestock deaths and financial losses, in Lyon, France, October 9, 2017. REUTERS/Robert Pratta

French farmers stage a protest against the government's "Plan loup" (wolf project) as the farmers seek to protect their livestock against attacks by wolves, in Lyon, France, October 9, 2017. REUTERS/Robert Pratta