PARIS — There have been chaotic scenes at the opening of the annual agricultural show in Paris as farmers broke through security barriers and had to be kept back by riot police.

They were angry at the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron at the event.

A group of French farmers on Saturday burst into the ground of the international agricultural fair amid clashes with security personnel around the venue.

The BFM news network reported that the agitated farmers stormed into the fairground minutes after the arrival of Macron. In ensuing clashes, the police detained a number of the protestors.

Speaking shortly later at the exhibition, Macron urged the protestors to abstain from violence.

The French capital witnessed Friday protests by farmers demanding cut of costs of production and applying laws equally with importers of agricultural products from abroad.

Farmers have been protesting across France and elsewhere in Europe saying agriculture is at crisis point because of falling incomes and increasing regulation.

Farmers are also protesting free trade treaties that allow entry of cheap products from abroad. — Agencies