Name: French farmers contest cattle disease measures and Mercorsur deal
Uploaded: 2025-12-16T15:13:39.917Z
Duration: 2 min 1 s
Description: French cattle farmers are battling an outbreak of lumpy skin disease. New measures were announced on December 15, but tensions remain high as farmers protest against the systematic culling of affected herds. The anger adds to already existing discontent over the Mercosur deal, which is close to being finalized.

French cattle farmers are battling an outbreak of lumpy skin disease. New measures were announced on December 15, but tensions remain high as farmers protest against the systematic culling of affected herds. The anger adds to already existing discontent over the Mercosur deal, which is close to being finalized.

Paris

Farmers across France have mobilized in protest against government measures to control lumpy skin disease, particularly the policy of culling entire herds when a single case is suspected. Demonstrations have included road blockades and public gatherings, with participants expressing frustration over the emotional and economic toll of the cull policy.

In addition to concerns about animal health measures, farmers are also voicing opposition to the EU-Mercosur trade deal, fearing that cheaper imports from South America could harm European producers. The French government has launched a large-scale vaccination campaign, but many farmers believe the response has come too late and lacks sufficient resources.

French farmers contest cattle disease measures and Mercorsur deal

A hundred farmers spent the night outside this cattle farm, which is under threat of a cull. One cow in a herd of 80 is suspected of carrying lumpy skin disease. They came to show their support while awaiting the test results. No one is ever prepared to go through something like this. Yeah, you're never ready. It's not human. Police are already on site. If the test comes back positive, the entire herd will be slaughtered. That's the current procedure. A policy that farmers are rejecting and protests are spreading across France. In the south of the country, roads are blocked and traffic is disrupted. In Nantes, in the west, farmers have piled up bales of straw to show their anger. This is a warning. We're here, we're mobilised. And if this continues, we'll take stronger action. This Monday, the Minister of Agriculture officially launched a large-scale vaccination campaign, targeting one million animals. This is a considerable logistical challenge. We will have sufficient doses. I've ordered one million, which will arrive shortly, so that we can vaccinate as quickly as possible. But for many farmers, it is already too late. We're already two months behind. We don't have enough doses and not enough vets to move faster. Since the end of June, lumpy skin disease has affected 75 farms across 11 French departments. And this crisis comes on top of other concerns. Farmers are also protesting against the Mercosur trade deal the EU hopes to finalise by the end of the year. They fear cheaper South American imports could further undermine European producers.

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