200 Cattle Culled in Ariège Amid Nodular Dermatitis Outbreak as Farmers Protest

In Ariège, approximately 200 cattle were euthanized on Friday following the detection of contagious nodular dermatitis at a local farm. This decisive action came after two days of intense protests and blockades by agricultural unions seeking to prevent the culling. Police intervention was required to clear the blockade and allow veterinary services to carry out the euthanasia operation.

The protests involved hundreds of demonstrators, mainly farmers affiliated with Coordination Rurale and Confédération Paysanne, along with some ultra-left activists, as reported by Interior Minister Laurent Nunez. Tensions escalated during the cattle removal, with incidents between law enforcement and the protestors. The first animals were loaded onto trucks around 10:30 AM amidst tight security.

In response to the outbreak, the government expanded the zone where mandatory vaccination against nodular dermatitis is enforced, aiming to contain the contagious disease and protect surrounding livestock.

This outbreak poses significant concerns for the region's agricultural sector, prompting urgent governance measures to both manage the health crisis and support affected farmers. The mandatory vaccination zone expansion reflects the severity of the situation, as authorities seek to prevent further spread.

The incident highlights the difficult balance between public and animal health imperatives and the economic pressures felt by farmers. The protests underscore the agricultural community's resistance to rapid culling measures, emphasizing the emotional and financial impact of such interventions.

Currently, government forces maintain control of the affected area, with vaccination efforts ongoing to mitigate the disease's reach. Further support measures from authorities are anticipated to assist farmers facing losses resulting from the outbreak.