Contagious Nodular Dermatitis Forces Historic Exclusion of Cattle from 2026 Salon de l’Agriculture

For the first time in sixty years, no bovine animals will be present at the 2026 Salon de l’Agriculture, a major event held from February 21 to March 1. This unprecedented decision was announced by Jérôme Despey, president of the salon, in response to the outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis (DNC), a viral disease that has severely impacted French livestock and farmers.

DNC reemerged in Europe in June 2025, initially detected in Sardinia and Lombardy before spreading to French regions including Savoie and Haute-Savoie. Although not transmissible to humans, the disease is highly contagious among cattle and carries an estimated mortality rate of about 10% for infected animals.

To contain the disease, the French government has implemented a strategy combining systematic culling of infected and at-risk animals, vaccination campaigns around affected areas, and movement restrictions within regulated zones. However, this approach has drawn criticism from farmers and agricultural unions who are concerned about its impact on livelihoods.

Jérôme Despey emphasized that despite the absence of bovines, the salon remains fully committed to supporting farmers through these challenging times. The exclusion of cattle from the event underscores the severity of the DNC outbreak as well as its economic and cultural ramifications for France’s agricultural sector.

While the health crisis dominates livestock management, the Salon de l’Agriculture continues preparations, though the absence of such a central component reflects a major disruption in the traditional showcase of French agriculture. The government and agricultural communities will likely continue adapting their response in the coming months as they battle this serious animal health threat.