France, Dec. 13 -- According to authorities, two police officers were slightly injured when law enforcement used tear gas to disperse demonstrators occupying sections of the A64 motorway near Lescar and Carbonne.

The motorway was partially closed as dozens of tractors formed barricades and farmers said they would maintain the blockade through the weekend.

The protests mark a surge of anger across France's farming sector, already under pressure from successive animal health crises and mounting economic strain.

Earlier this week, veterinary teams, accompanied by police, culled 207 cows in the departement of Ariege after a new outbreak was detected.

French farmers protest over compulsory cattle culls amid disease outbreak

Agriculture Mi...