French Cattle Farmers Protest DNC Culling Protocol Amid Rising Tensions in the South-West

On December 14, around fifty cattle farmers in Millau, Aveyron, staged a dramatic protest against the government’s contagious nodular dermatitis (DNC) outbreak management protocol, which mandates the culling of entire herds if even a single animal is infected. The farmers covered the sub-prefecture with straw, manure, and used tires, culminating in the spraying of hundreds of liters of foul-smelling slurry onto state representatives' offices. This demonstration expressed their strong opposition to killing healthy animals alongside infected ones, a practice deemed "not acceptable" by farmer Bruno Roustan.

The protest drew the support of about one hundred onlookers and highlighted growing frustration with Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard’s handling of the epidemic. Théo Alary from the Coordination Rurale stated that farmers are now directing their appeals to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, perceiving no change from Genevard. Carole Delga, president of the Occitanie region, also urged the Prime Minister to engage in dialogue with farmers over DNC management.

DNC, a viral disease affecting cattle and non-transmissible to humans, was first detected on June 29 and has since spread across 64 outbreaks in municipalities in Savoie and Haute-Savoie. Despite a reduction in cases, the disease’s impact on traditional cattle festivities is significant. For example, Groupama insurance’s withdrawal of coverage for bull releases in Camargue has further upset local ranchers.

The government’s strict sanitary measures, requiring culling of entire herds, have deeply traumatized the farming community, many of whom are now contemplating recovery and resumption of their activities. Tensions continue to escalate in the South-West, with farmers blocking roads ahead of Minister Genevard’s planned visit, signaling growing unrest over current epidemic management.

The collective farmer demands focus on preserving healthy livestock, reconsidering culling protocols, and fostering dialogue at the highest government levels. Farmers have pledged to clean up protest sites if their concerns are addressed, underlining their desire for constructive solutions.