France Accelerates Vaccination Amid Farmer Protests Over Contagious Nodular Dermatitis

The French government has announced a rapid vaccination campaign targeting 750,000 cattle to combat the outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis (DNC). Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard revealed this plan on December 16, 2025, following a crisis meeting in Toulouse. The campaign focuses on departments with reported outbreaks such as Ariège, Aude, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées, and Pyrénées-Orientales, as well as those within the sanitary cordon including Gers and Hérault. A key objective is to vaccinate all 1,000 farms in Ariège by year-end.

Currently, 500,000 vaccine doses are being distributed to veterinary clinics in affected regions, with over 400,000 more doses expected soon. To support small farms impacted by DNC, the government plans to allocate more than 10 million euros in direct aid, alongside exemptions from certain taxes and social charges. Since June, France has identified 113 DNC outbreaks, leading to the culling of over 3,300 cattle out of a national herd of approximately 16 million. Despite this, no infectious outbreaks are currently reported.

Meanwhile, farmer protests have escalated nationwide, particularly in the southwest and southeast, with blockades on major highways such as the A64, A63, A61, A9, and A75. Organized by farming unions including the Confédération paysanne and Coordination rurale, farmers have expressed their anger over culling policies by blocking roads with tractors and dumping dead livestock outside government offices. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned violent actions during protests and called for a reevaluation of the vaccination strategy to better suit each department's situation. He also announced an upcoming meeting with agricultural unions to address their grievances.

Minister Genevard acknowledged the farmers' concerns during her visit to the affected regions and stressed the government's commitment to managing the outbreak through vaccination and support. Military veterinarians and retired volunteers are being mobilized to assist in vaccination logistics to expedite the campaign. The current focused approach aims to control DNC spread while balancing the welfare of farmers and livestock.

This dual approach of rapid vaccination and increased government support comes amidst ongoing tensions between authorities and farmers concerned about the impact of strict disease control measures on their livelihoods. The next steps involve continued vaccine distribution and dialogue between government officials and agricultural representatives to find sustainable solutions.