Mr Trett said it was initially thought the ship could be removed from its muddy bank in sections but experts had to remove the ship timber by timber.

BBC: Ship dig bill 'threat to trust'

The latest action in France follows the brief blockade of a ship carrying Cameroon timber at the Spanish port of Valencia on Saturday.

BBC: Greenpeace blockades African timber ship

Most egregious, though, are the boxloads of special favours for industries from timber producers to cruise-ship owners.

ECONOMIST: America's tax policy hits a new low