French Farmers Continue Protests Over DNC Cattle Disease Management

Farmers across France continue their protests against government handling of the Contagious Nodular Dermatosis (DNC) outbreak, demanding the end of mass cattle culling and calling for fairer support measures.

Farmers across France are refusing to back down as anger grows over the government’s handling of the dermatose nodulaire contagieuse (DNC) outbreak — known in English as Contagious Nodular Dermatosis, a viral disease affecting cattle. Despite calls for a “Christmas truce” from some unions, farmer blockades and demonstrations have persisted in several regions, particularly across the South-West.

The disease, first detected in Savoie in late June, has spread across 11 departments, with 114 confirmed outbreaks and more than 3,300 cattle culled as part of government containment efforts.

Protesters Demand an End to Mass Culling

A key source of frustration lies in the government’s policy of systematic slaughtering. Under current measures, if even one cow in a herd tests positive, the entire herd must be culled, regardless of the vaccination status or exposure risk of the other animals.

Farmers argue this approach is economically devastating and scientifically outdated. Many believe that targeted containment, isolation, and widespread vaccination would be more effective and humane.

Major farmer unions involved include:

FNSEA (Fédération Nationale des Syndicats d’Exploitants Agricoles) – which has shown cautious support for vaccination efforts, while calling for dialogue.
Coordination Rurale (CR) – firmly opposing the mass cull policy, leading several high-profile demonstrations.
Confédération Paysanne – urging regional authorities to halt destruction of healthy herds and provide greater financial compensation.

Protests Spread Despite “Christmas Truce”

While the number of active blockades has decreased since last week’s peak of 5,000 protesters across 110 actions, road disruptions remain widespread on:

A63 near Bordeaux,
A64 along the Pyrenees,
A75 through Lozère and Aveyron, and
A51 in the Isère region.

In Cestas (Gironde), farmers from Coordination Rurale staged an action outside a major Lidl logistics hub, symbolising their frustration with retail chains that they say “profit while farmers lose everything.”

Prominent farmer spokesman Jérôme Bayle, who has become a leading voice of the movement, warned that demonstrations could expand after Christmas if government negotiations fail to deliver real progress.

Government Pushes for Accelerated Vaccination

In response to growing pressure, France’s Ministry of Agriculture has announced a push for faster mass vaccination. Around 750,000 cattle are to be vaccinated by the end of the year, starting with full coverage in Ariège by 31 December.

Officials have reiterated that strict measures are necessary to prevent the disease from spreading across Europe, but critics argue that this “health-first” approach overlooks the economic and emotional toll on farmers.

The Confédération Paysanne responded with a rally in Égletons (Corrèze), denouncing what they called the government’s “months of indifference and contempt.”

A Rural Crisis That Won’t Disappear

As the year draws to a close, the DNC crisis has highlighted broader tensions between rural France and Paris, echoing past movements such as the “gilets jaunes” and farm income protests. Many farmers now view this as a turning point for how France treats its agricultural communities.

If negotiations do not produce meaningful changes early in the new year, both unions and independent farmers have signalled plans to restart blockades and spread protests nationwide — a clear sign that frustration in rural France is far from over.