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France’s government has moved to play down concerns over a recent outbreak of lumpy skin disease in cattle, with the agriculture minister saying the situation is being kept under control even as farmer protests spread across parts of the country.
Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard said authorities were dealing with a limited number of confirmed cases and were acting to stop the virus from spreading, while also opening the door to further talks with farming groups that strongly oppose the culling policy.
Speaking on public broadcaster France 2, Genevard acknowledged the anxiety felt across rural areas, noting that many farmers fear the virus could reach their own barns at any moment. She said, however, that only two farms nationwide had so far been affected, stressing that the overall situation remained manageable.
Lumpy skin disease, also known as nodular dermatitis, is a viral infection that affects cattle and can cause serious economic losses. It does not pose a risk to humans, but it spreads easily among animals, making rapid containment a priority for veterinary authorities.
The most recent outbreak was detected on Dec. 9 in the southwestern department of Ariege. In response, around 200 cows were culled, a move that immediately triggered anger and resistance among local farmers.
Against this backdrop, Genevard said the government was ready to listen to farmers who have put forward alternative proposals. She described these suggestions as serious and carefully thought out, adding that consultations would continue.
At the same time, she defended the state’s response, saying it was based on scientific guidance and on measures already applied in other European countries, including Italy and Spain. According to the minister, limiting animal movements remains essential, as uncontrolled transport could allow the virus to spread further and undermine containment efforts.
As part of the response, Genevard announced she would travel to the neighboring Haute-Garonne department to kick off a vaccination campaign targeting 1 million animals, aimed at stopping the disease from taking hold more widely.
Despite reassurances from Paris, opposition on the ground has intensified. Farmer protests have multiplied in recent days, with demonstrations reported across several regions. According to BFMTV, 27 protest actions were recorded on Sunday alone, drawing together just over 1,000 farmers.
In a more visible show of discontent, farmers have been blocking a motorway in southwestern France with tractors since Friday. The Confederation Paysanne, one of the country’s main farmers’ unions, has called for blockades nationwide to challenge what it sees as an overly harsh approach to managing the outbreak.
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