French government wades into noxious algae row

SAINT-MICHEL-EN-GREVE, France (Reuters) - France will clear thousands of tons of noxious seaweed from northern beaches after reports that it is emitting dangerous gases, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said on Thursday.

Environmental groups demanded action after a horse collapsed and died this month crossing a beach covered with washed-up algae at the resort of Saint-Michel-en-Greve in Brittany.

The horse's rider lost consciousness and had to be dragged from a meter-deep patch of rotting green sludge.

Fillon said the government would take charge of the issue, promising to reduce levels of the farm chemicals that environmentalists say make their way onto the beaches and lead to the emission of dangerous fumes.

"The state will assume all of its responsibilities and will take charge of the clean-up of the worst affected beaches, where there could be a public health risk," Fillon said while visiting Saint-Michel-en-Greve.

A report commissioned by Ecology Minister Chantal Jouanno revealed that levels of hydrogen sulfide recorded in the bay at Saint-Michel-en-Greve, produced by rotting algae, reached 1,000 parts per million.

Concentrations above 500 parts per million can potentially be fatal when inhaled, the report said.

The state agreed to foot the bill of the clean-up after some local authorities baulked at spending around 100,000 euros ($140,000) per year.

France also plans to clear weed from the sea at the end of the winter, Fillon said.

Environmentalists are demanding action to promote organic farming in the region, where 60 percent of French pigs are reared.

(Writing by Joseph Tandy; Editing by Victoria Main)