greenpeace france

Two ships carrying reprocessed nuclear fuel destined for Japan set sail on Sept. 17 from northern France, despite criticism from environmental campaigners.

The fuel was due to leave the northern French port city of Cherbourg earlier this month but was delayed by the breakdown of loading equipment.

Greenpeace activists have blocked the entrance of a refinery in southern France, where oil giant Total uses controversial palm oil to produce biofuels.

Environmentalists say palm oil is causing deforestation, with huge areas of tropical rainforest in Southeast Asia being cut down or burned in recent decades to create space for plantations.