France has declared the lumpy skin disease (LSD) outbreak in its cattle population under control, yet nationwide protests continue over the government’s strict culling policies.
Farmers have blocked highways, dumped manure and staged bonfires to oppose the slaughter of entire herds. The crisis underscores the tension between disease containment and the livelihoods of rural communities.
LSD and the French Outbreak
LSD is a highly contagious viral infection transmitted by biting insects, primarily affecting cattle and buffalo.
Infected animals show the following symptoms:
- Painful skin nodules across the body.
- Fever and general malaise.
- Reduced milk production.
While LSD is harmless to humans, the economic consequences are severe. The disease can devastate herd productivity, trigger international trade restrictions and has historically led to the culling of thousands of cattle in Europe.
Since the first reported case in June 2025, France has confirmed 113 LSD outbreaks leading to the slaughter of 3,300 cattle, or 0.02% of the French herd, according to Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard. Farmers are being compensated for their losses; nearly 6 million euros have been paid since June.
“This disease must be eradicated. Otherwise, it could cause the death of 10% of French livestock,” Genevard says.
Farmer Opposition to Culling
French rules require the entire herd to be culled when an outbreak is detected, a practice many farmers oppose. Groups, such as Coordination Rurale, argue that slaughtering entire herds, including healthy animals, is unnecessary and economically devastating. They are instead calling for targeted measures and quarantine protocols.
🔴 #DNC — La Coordination Rurale sur @BFMTV : “Yes to vaccination, but stop to total slaughter. It’s no longer acceptable for farmers.” François Turpeau, president of the CR86. Guest on BFM TV, the President of the Coordination Rurale 86 denounced an absurd health protocol that continues to impose the systematic slaughter of entire herds, including vaccinated animals. pic.twitter.com/NSzTWqqrZR
— Coordination Rurale (@coordinationrur) December 16, 2025
“Yes to vaccination, but stop to total slaughter. It’s no longer acceptable for farmers,” says François Turpeau, president of Coordination Rurale 86.
Protests against these extreme culling measures began late last week, with farmers parking their tractors to block major highways in the country. In multiple communities, farmers have gathered outside town halls and government buildings, at times dumping or spraying manure.
Containment Strategy: Vaccination and Movement Restrictions
To curb the disease’s spread while attempting to address farmer concerns, the French Ministry of Agriculture has launched a combined strategy:
- Compulsory, government-paid vaccination: A vaccination program is planned to start in the Occitanie region, targeting designated high-risk areas. The program will cover nearly 1 million cattle.
- Strict movement rules: Farmers must now give 24 hours’ notice for any planned transportation of cattle, allowing authorities to monitor and restrict movement swiftly.
- Transportation equipment disinfection: All equipment used for the movement of cattle outside of France must be completely sanitized.
International Implications
Although LSD has not been detected in the U.S., the French outbreak provides a cautionary tale for American cattle producers and demonstrates the challenges of balancing public health, livestock production and farmer livelihoods.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has developed standard operating procedures for LSD preparedness and response.
