Political Debate Emerges Over Dermatose Nodulaire Culling Measures in Occitanie

The French government has extended mandatory vaccination zones in Occitanie as contagious nodular dermatitis (DNC) cases have appeared in Ariège and Hautes-Pyrénées, prompting sanitary culling of cattle herds. A herd of 200 cows in Ariège identified with DNC is currently being culled by veterinary services accompanied by the gendarmerie, marking an intense phase of disease control efforts.

Carole Delga, President of Occitanie, announced €300,000 in emergency aid to support affected farmers, while emphasizing the necessity of respecting sanitary culling measures to protect livestock and prevent further outbreaks. Delga acknowledged the emotional toll on farmers but underscored disease control priorities.

However, the culling measures have sparked political controversy. Jean-Luc Mélenchon condemned the state's violent enforcement against farmers resisting herd culling, a sentiment echoed by Manon Meunier, who called for an end to systematic animal slaughter. Meanwhile, Jean-Jacques Bolzan criticized the state’s forceful approach towards farmers compared to other protests. In contrast, Arnaud Rousseau of the FNSEA stressed the importance of rationality, advocating immediate culling for public health and urging vaccination zones to expand to protect the wider cattle population.

The government’s extension covers several departments including Aude, Haute-Garonne, Gers, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and Landes, with strict movement restrictions on cattle. Though DNC is not transmissible to humans, it threatens livestock health and remains a significant concern since its detection in France in June. The situation in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is reportedly stabilizing, but the expansion of the outbreak to Occitanie intensifies regional challenges.