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France to Vaccinate One Million Cattle as Farmer Blockades Escalate Over Herd Culls

The government promises compensation, saying mass inoculation will help contain lumpy skin disease.

Emilie Sidiqian, CEO of Salesforce France, attends the Adopt AI International Summit at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, November 26, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor
Farmers had set up a roadblock outside the farm on December 11 which the police used tear gas to clear
Farmers of the CR47 union stand by a bonfire during a proteset in southwestern France
A cow at the farm where there has been an outbreak of lumpy skin disease

Overview

  • Veterinary teams, escorted by gendarmes, euthanised more than 200 cows at an Ariège farm after infections were confirmed, with tear gas used and four arrests reported.
  • Portions of the A64 south of Toulouse remained blocked by hundreds of farmers with dozens of tractors, with hay and tyres burned at several sites.
  • Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard said vaccination of nearly one million head will begin in the coming weeks and will be mandatory to protect herds and maintain exports.
  • France has recorded 110 outbreaks across nine departments, culled about 3,000 animals, and paid nearly €6 million to affected farmers since June 29, according to the agriculture ministry.
  • Farm unions are divided, with FNSEA backing full-herd slaughter to limit spread while Coordination Rurale urges targeted measures and quarantine instead.