France Faces Ongoing Farmer Protests Over Cattle Vaccination and Police Crackdown on Unauthorized Paris Fireworks

France is currently grappling with two distinct public safety challenges: persistent farmer protests in the South-West over cattle vaccination policies and a recent unauthorized fireworks display in Paris leading to multiple arrests.

In the South-West, over 50% of the targeted 750,000 cattle have been vaccinated against contagious nodular dermatitis (DNC), according to Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard. As of December 27, 361,079 cattle had received the vaccine, with efforts ongoing. Despite this progress, discontent among farmers remains high due to the government's management strategy involving culling of herds upon virus detection and restrictions on animal movement. This has resulted in continued road blockades, notably on the A75 near the Millau viaduct and across Occitanie. Although most blockades in Nouvelle-Aquitaine have been lifted, protests continue, with agricultural unions like Coordination Rurale and Confédération Paysanne opposing the culling approach. Since the outbreak began in June, 115 disease hotspots have been identified primarily in Savoie and Pyrénées-Orientales but are now classified as "extinguished."

In Paris, the police prefecture reported an unauthorized fireworks show launched from the Trocadéro esplanade on the evening of December 27 around 8:50 PM. Forty individuals were arrested after police intervened; fortunately, no injuries were reported. Surveillance footage showed the group using smoke bombs and fireworks at both the Trocadéro and Place de Varsovie. This marks the second unsanctioned fireworks event in December. The earlier incident, organized by influencer Loris Giuliano on December 13, also triggered an investigation due to public safety concerns.

The government remains focused on managing the cattle disease through vaccination and culling while addressing public safety risks arising from unauthorized demonstrations and events. Farmers have signaled readiness to continue protests into the new year, and investigations continue into Paris’s fireworks displays.