[Romanian Farmers and Shepherds Confront Police During Livestock Export Ban Protests]
Dozens injured as 2,000 farmers – backed by far‑right groups – protest the extension of a livestock export ban.
Published On 15 Sep 2026
Riot police have clashed with Romanian shepherds and farmers as roughly 2,000 individuals gathered in Bucharest on Tuesday to protest the extension of an EU‑imposed ban on live sheep exports. The rally, which aimed to demand the repeal of the prohibition on live sheep shipments prompted by a highly contagious small ruminant plague, drew substantial public support but intensified regional tensions.
Approximately 2,000 people demonstrated in the capital on Tuesday against the widening crackdown on live sheep trade, a measure instituted by the European Union following unprecedented disease outbreaks affecting the livestock sector. Previous farmer demonstrations across several European nations have similarly benefited from far‑right endorsement and participation.
Violence erupted in front of the Romanian president’s office when demonstrators, demanding the ban’s reversal, hurled stones, metal barriers and foreign objects at law enforcement. Riot police responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to the injury of twenty‑six participants—twelve needing medical treatment for fractures and others suffering from the effects of tear gas; four attendees were admitted to hospital.
The government and its opposition coalition urged the participants to refrain from violence, emphasizing the necessity of peaceful assembly amid heightened instability.
The demonstration was organized by various peasant and herding collectives, which also circulated banners requesting the resignation of the president and prime minister. Chants directed at far‑right politician Calin Georgescu—former presidential candidate currently facing charges related to violations of the 2024 election outcomes—amplified the confrontational climate.
George Simion, leader of the principal right‑wing party, the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), posted on Facebook that his movement stood with agricultural workers yet stressed the need for harmonious civic expression.
Legitimate protest turned to street fighting
The Romanian administration released a statement indicating that the event “degenerated into regrettable acts of violence” and called upon the audience to maintain calm.
President Nicolae Zahau denounced the “extremely serious” aggression and “any effort to transform a lawful demonstration into public disorder.”
Earlier in July, shepherds outside the capital voiced concerns regarding the prolongation of the live animal export restriction, a policy set to expire at year‑end 2026. Romania, confronting record inflation throughout the European Union and enduring a chronic political impasse since a June 2026 motion ousted the governing coalition, faces profound economic and social challenges.
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