Overview
- The Léran herd, vaccinated in December, began being euthanized on Friday with the farmer consenting to the sanitary protocol and requesting no blockade at the farm.
- This detection raises the national tally to 116 outbreaks, with 28 in Occitanie, as Ariège meets the EU vaccination threshold and the South‑West reaches 68.6% coverage (495,602 cattle).
- Farmer actions escalated with nighttime operations at state buildings in Foix, Saint‑Girons and Pamiers, including a welded prefecture gate, followed by a daytime rally in Mirepoix and a candle vigil marking 113 animals.
- Unions and local officials call for a shift to selective culling once immunity is established, demand a clear post‑vaccination deadline for ending whole‑herd kills, and seek stronger financial support.
- The government maintains its three‑pillar strategy of culling, vaccination and movement limits; a 20‑km protection zone now applies around Léran, talks with unions are set for early next week, and initial support measures are expected to be announced by the agriculture minister as soon as Sunday.