Train services between Rome and Naples were severely disrupted on Wednesday by protesting buffalo breeders, who have been ordered to slaughter more than a third of their mozzarella-milk-producing cattle in a health scare.
More than 200 farmers and their family members piled onto the tracks of the Cancello Arnone station outside Caserta near Naples.
The protesters were unexpectedly joined by several hundred youths travelling back to Naples after taking part in a major Labour Day concert in Rome.
Trains travelling from the capital to Naples suffered delays of more than an hour while some services had to be abandoned altogether and buses provided for stranded passengers.
The buffalo farmers are demanding help from the State in dealing with an outbreak of brucellosis, also known as undulant fever or Malta fever.
The disease, which causes cattle to miscarry and can affect humans with symptoms ranging from flu-like illnesses to chronic fever, has been detected in local buffalo herds whose milk is used to produce the region's traditional, prized mozzarella.
The farmers have been told to cull 150,000 buffalos, or 35% of their herd, and are now seeking compensation.
They also fear the impact on their production of mozzarella, a soft, creamy, white cheese which is famous around the world and is best when made purely from buffalo milk.
Brucellosis is mainly a disease of farm animals caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella and it is relatively rare in developed countries.
People most at risk from the disease are farmers and vets who have contact with infected animals.
But the disease can also be passed on through contaminated animal products such as untreated milk.
Symptoms vary from person to person and range from weight loss, depression, fever and fatigue to joint pains, headaches and loss of appetite.
In severe cases, sufferers experience recurrent or chronic fever which can be very serious and last several years.
