French Farmers’ Protest Escalates: Road Blockades Over Cattle Culls Linked to Lumpy Skin Disease

French farmers have intensified their protests across the southwest of the country, blocking major roads and clashing with police over government-mandated cattle culls aimed at containing an outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD). The demonstrations, which began earlier this month, have spread from rural Ariège to urban centers, highlighting deep divisions between agricultural workers and state authorities.

The Outbreak and Government Response

Lumpy skin disease, a viral infection spread primarily by biting insects, affects cattle but poses no risk to humans. The disease causes fever, nodules on the skin, and can lead to decreased milk production and death in severe cases. Since its detection in France in June, veterinary authorities have ordered the slaughter of infected herds and introduced mass vaccination campaigns.

Last week, the Agriculture Ministry expanded its vaccination program to cover nearly one million cattle in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie regions. Officials argue that culling infected herds is essential to prevent further spread, but farmers say the policy is devastating their livelihoods.

Farmers’ Anger and Road Blockades

Protests have erupted in multiple locations, including the A64 motorway near Carbonne, where farmers used tractors, hay bales, and tires to block traffic. In some areas, demonstrators set fires to emphasize their anger. Police deployed tear gas to disperse crowds after clashes left at least two officers injured.

Farmers accuse the government of “exterminating cows and farmers,” insisting that vaccination alone should be prioritized over mass slaughter. “We are losing entire herds, generations of breeding work, and our future,” said one protester in Ariège, where more than 200 cows were culled last week.

Political and Economic Dimensions

The protests come amid broader discontent in France’s farming sector, already strained by trade negotiations with Mercosur countries and rising production costs. Farmers’ unions, including the Confédération paysanne, have called for “blockades everywhere” until the government revises its policies.

Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard has urged farmers to trust the state’s containment strategy, stressing that vaccination combined with culling is the only way to halt the disease. “We must protect the national herd and prevent the disease from spreading further,” she said in a statement.

Risks and Trade-Offs

• Public health vs. economic survival: Authorities argue that failing to contain LSD could devastate France’s cattle industry and exports. Farmers counter that mass culls are economically ruinous and unnecessary.
• Escalating tensions: Continued blockades risk disrupting food supply chains and transport networks.
• International implications: France’s handling of the outbreak will be closely watched by European partners, as LSD has already spread across parts of the continent.

Outlook

As of mid-December, protests show no sign of easing. Farmers vow to maintain blockades through the holiday season unless the government halts compulsory culls. With tensions rising, France faces a critical test in balancing disease control with the survival of its agricultural communities.