Hundreds of French farmers have driven tractors into the center of Paris in protest at policies and attitudes which they say are hurting their industry. 

French farming unions have launched a tractor protest, blocking roads around the center of the capital city, Paris. They are angry at international trade deals and President Macron's ban on the herbicide glyphosate by 2021 - ahead of a wider EU ban - which they see as too extreme. 

The farmers are concerned government policies are hurting the industry, and therefore farmers' income. 

The demonstration began outside Paris at approximately 8am local time, where the tractors created a 'rolling road-block' along a major motorway between Paris and northern French ports. 

The go-slow protest then moved towards the Champs-Elysee, and aimed to meet at Avenue Foch, near the Arc de Triomphe. However, police blocked the tractors before they could enter the city center. A smaller protest on foot blocked the main avenue near the Arc de Triomphe, but police met them with significant numbers. 

"We want to warn everyone that if there are no more farmers in France it has a knock on effect on the French economy," 29-year-old farmer Alix Heurtaut told Reuters. 

Among the international deals being protested by farming groups are the Ceta deal with Canada and the recent EU trade deal with the Mercosur bloc in Latin America. It is feared these deals could increase cheap agricultural imports from the Americas, which could undercut the French industry. 

But outrage is not solely focused on decisions implemented by the government -  farmers are furious over what they perceive as an attack on their way of life by vegan activists and animal welfare groups. Livestock farms and butchers have had their properties damaged and been threatened on social media. The government has been accused of failing to respond aggressively enough to this so-called 'agri-bashing'. 

One farmer daubed on his tractor a message directly to the president of the republic: "Macron, answer us! Save farmers". 

Further protests are underway throughout France, with tractors attempting to block a motorway near Lyon.