French authorities have taken a drastic measure to combat lumpy skin disease in cattle, announcing a nationwide vaccination program targeting one million head of livestock. The decision comes amidst mass protests by farmers who are opposed to the government's plan to cull large numbers of infected herds.
The highly contagious disease has caused several outbreaks across France, prompting authorities to order the slaughter of entire herds. However, the farming community is strongly against this approach, arguing that it will cause significant economic losses and disrupt the sector as a whole.
In response, Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard has promised to vaccinate nearly one million animals in the coming weeks, stating that vaccination is a key measure to protect farmers from the disease's devastating effects. The minister also assured that the state would compensate affected farmers for their losses, including operating costs.
Genevard maintains that the culling of infected herds is necessary to prevent the spread of the disease and avoid trade restrictions that could have severe economic consequences for France's cattle industry. However, a rival farming union has voiced opposition to this approach, calling for targeted measures and quarantine protocols instead.
The standoff between the government and farmers has led to widespread protests, with over 400 farmers blocking the A64 motorway south of Toulouse since Friday afternoon. The situation remains tense, as authorities attempt to strike a balance between protecting public health and supporting vulnerable farming communities.
France has reported 110 outbreaks of lumpy skin disease across nine departments and has culled approximately 3,000 animals so far. The government has paid nearly six million euros in compensation to farmers since the first outbreak on June 29.
The highly contagious disease has caused several outbreaks across France, prompting authorities to order the slaughter of entire herds. However, the farming community is strongly against this approach, arguing that it will cause significant economic losses and disrupt the sector as a whole.
In response, Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard has promised to vaccinate nearly one million animals in the coming weeks, stating that vaccination is a key measure to protect farmers from the disease's devastating effects. The minister also assured that the state would compensate affected farmers for their losses, including operating costs.
Genevard maintains that the culling of infected herds is necessary to prevent the spread of the disease and avoid trade restrictions that could have severe economic consequences for France's cattle industry. However, a rival farming union has voiced opposition to this approach, calling for targeted measures and quarantine protocols instead.
The standoff between the government and farmers has led to widespread protests, with over 400 farmers blocking the A64 motorway south of Toulouse since Friday afternoon. The situation remains tense, as authorities attempt to strike a balance between protecting public health and supporting vulnerable farming communities.
France has reported 110 outbreaks of lumpy skin disease across nine departments and has culled approximately 3,000 animals so far. The government has paid nearly six million euros in compensation to farmers since the first outbreak on June 29.
. It's like, I get it, we don't want people dying from lumpy skin disease, but what about personal freedom? 
Farmers are already stressed out enough with the economy and all that. And now they're being forced to deal with this mandatory vaccination thing? No thanks! 
What if some farmers don't wanna do it? Are we gonna make 'em or bust 'em? 
this whole situation is super worrying for the farmers in france! i totally get why they're against culling the herds though - it's gotta be tough financially and emotionally 
especially with all those protests going on 
maybe france could look into some new farming practices or methods that don't involve killing so many animals? 
#SustainabilityInAgriculture
because 110 outbreaks is just too much! we need to support our french farmers during this tough time 
#FarmersUnite, #LumpySkinDiseaseSupport
... like, I'm all for protecting public health and all that, but vaccinating ONE MILLION ANIMALS? That's a huge undertaking and a lot of resources are being thrown at it 
. And what about the farmers who don't want to do it? They're already getting compensation, so why not just work with them instead of forcing vaccines on their livestock 
.
, especially when you consider all the economic implications for the farming community. I just wish they'd consider alternative measures like quarantine protocols or targeted vaccinations... it seems like a more nuanced approach to me 
.
and what if the vaccines dont even work?! its like they just wanna cover their own butts and leave the farmers high & dry 
i just saw a vid of protesters blocking the motorway and i'm like what's the deal with that? are they really against vaccinating the cows or is it more about the gov not wanting to pay them back for all the money they lost from having to slaughter their own animals? 
. vaccination is great but what about the animals that don't get vaccinated or those that escape into neighboring countries? France needs a better strategy 
.
this is crazy what's going on in France with the lumpy skin disease outbreak... I mean, on one hand, you gotta protect public health and all that but at the same time, think about those poor farmers who are already struggling 
these vaccines seem like a good idea but also kinda expensive... hope it helps prevent more outbreaks tho 
i feel bad 4 the farmers tho they deserve better 
think they're gonna vaccinate like 1 mil cattle? that's a lot of meds and cash! 
what if they could just isolate 'em or something? quarantine protocols would be so much more humane lol 
. And the state's promise of compensation is great and all, but what about the long-term impact on the industry? 
All these farmers are worried sick, and it's not just about the money 
. Can't we find a balance here? Maybe some form of quarantine or targeted measures? 
