Europe appears to be one of the main themes at this year’s agricultural exhibition in Paris where products and livestock from 30 countries are on display.

Thousands of visitors streamed in for the opening day and French President Jacques Chirac mingled with the crowds. As well as sampling some of the many tasty morsels on show, he was also driving home his message that voting “Yes” in the upcoming referendum on the European Constitution is the right thing to do. Many farmers appear to be siding towards voting against the treaty. Chirac’s message to them was blunt; those who did, he said, would be shooting themselves in the foot. The show paid tribute to Europe’s ten new entrants whose agricultural ministers were all invited. Organisers hope some 700,000 people will visit before the exhibition closes on March 6.

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