Farmer protests block motorway entrances and major roads in south-west France
Ongoing action comes in response to culling of cattle affected by contagious Lumpy Skin Disease
Local unions have indicated that protests will continue across Ariège, Aveyron and Lozère
Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock
Farmers in south-west France continue to block major roads and motorway entrances in protest against the culling of cattle affected by contagious Lumpy Skin Disease (DNC or dermatose nodulaire contagieuse).
The ongoing protests have disrupted traffic along the A64, A65 and A75, with further closures possible in the coming days.
Local unions have indicated that protests will continue across Ariège, Aveyron and Lozère, with potential for further mobilisation on other key transport routes ahead of the start of the Christmas holidays on December 19.
The action follows government orders to slaughter hundreds of cows after outbreaks of DNC were detected in Ariège and the Hautes-Pyrénées.
The disease can cause severe health issues, reduced milk yields, and reproductive problems for cattle but is not transmissible to humans through milk or meat. The first cases in France were recorded in June 2025.
Blockades and disruption
Farmers, supported by unions including the Coordination rurale and Jeunes Agriculteurs, have used tractors to block motorways and erected bonfires on some routes.
In the Pays basque, protestors on the A64 between Briscous and Urt left the road covered with debris and barricades, preventing veterinary teams from accessing farms. Similar blockades have been reported on the A65 near Garlin and the A75 between Saint-Flour and Lodève.
Authorities report that some earlier blockades in Occitanie have been cleared and roads reopened following removal of debris and tractors.
However, traffic remains heavily disrupted, particularly on the A64 and A75, where farmers have vowed to maintain their presence until government policies on culling are reconsidered.
Minister due to visit Monday December 15
The French Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, is due to visit the region on Monday, December 15, to oversee the start of vaccination campaigns.
She said the aim is to vaccinate up to a million cattle in the affected departments as rapidly as possible, presenting this as the “path of hope” to limit further culling.
