Angry Farmers Protest Government Slaughter of Cattle Amid Disease Outbreak
Farmers in France are escalating their protests against government actions to slaughter cattle herds affected by Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), sparking clashes with law enforcement. The government’s decision to eradicate potentially infected herds is drawing significant backlash from the agricultural community, which claims the responses are excessive and unjustified.
The stakes are high as the farming sector in France faces not only health crises due to LSD outbreaks but also broader economic pressures from EU regulations and international trade agreements. Farmers fear that such policies could undermine their livelihood and lead to increased imports of cheaper food from countries with less stringent production standards.
Key Developments
- Protests erupted in the Ariège department, leading to confrontations between demonstrators and riot police.
- Farmers are voicing their discontent by dumping manure outside government offices and blocking roads.
- Environmental Group offices in Charente-Maritime have been vandalized amid escalating tensions.
- More than 3,000 cattle have been slaughtered since June, as the government implements a policy of killing entire herds with reported infections.
- A large protest is scheduled for next week in Brussels coinciding with an EU leaders’ summit.
Full Report
Tensions Rise as Farmers Resist Government Intervention
The confrontations began when veterinary teams were dispatched to euthanize cattle at a farm suspected of contamination. In response, farmers organized protests that saw violent clashes with law enforcement officials in the southern region of Ariège. The unrest reflects deep frustration with the state’s aggressive measures to combat LSD, particularly the policy that mandates the slaughter of entire cattle herds in cases of infection.
Farmers Oppose Slaughter Policy
Two prominent farmers’ unions, Conféderation Rurale and Conféderation Paysanne, argue that the government’s approach is unnecessarily brutal. They propose alternatives such as targeted culling and vaccination efforts. However, veterinarians, including Stephanie Philizot from the SNGTV union, maintain that distinguishing healthy animals from carriers without symptoms is currently impossible, necessitating full herd culls.
Impact of Lumpy Skin Disease
Lumpy Skin Disease, which primarily spreads through fly bites, has led to over 110 outbreaks across France since June. The disease is not typically fatal but can severely reduce milk production and render affected cows unsellable. The initial outbreak in France disrupted events, including the Tour de France cycling race, highlighting the disease’s far-reaching implications.
Context & Previous Events
The emergence of LSD in Europe traces back to Africa approximately a decade ago, with France facing its first outbreak in the Alps this past June. The Ministry of Agriculture has reported that illegal movement of cattle from affected areas has contributed to the spread of the disease. As protests gain momentum, the French government is concerned that the situation could escalate into a larger movement within a farming sector already grappling with various crises, such as those affecting wine growers and poultry farmers.
