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France Says Lumpy Skin Disease Under Control as Farmer Protests Persist

Officials report progress after a mass vaccination push.

Overview

  • Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard said on Dec. 15 there were no active cases and launched vaccinations for an additional one million cattle on top of one million already inoculated.
  • French rules mandate whole‑herd culls when a case is detected, with 113 outbreaks recorded and 3,300 cattle slaughtered by Dec. 14, equal to about 0.02% of the national herd.
  • Protests continued in the southwest with roadblocks and confrontations during recent culls, as the FNSEA backs the policy and smaller unions call the mass slaughter excessive.
  • Trade partners adjusted measures, with Britain earlier lifting a raw‑milk cheese embargo and Canada restricting some French dairy products.
  • The insect‑borne virus harms cattle health and output but does not infect humans or make meat and dairy unsafe to consume.