Farmers in Toulouse Protest After 113 Vaccinated Cows Are Slaughtered

Farmers Take to the Streets in Toulouse

Tempers flared again in southern France as around 80 farmers marched through Toulouse on Saturday, outraged by the government’s decision to continue culling herds despite ongoing vaccination efforts against dermatose nodulaire contagieuse (lumpy skin disease).

The demonstration, organized by the inter-union agricultural group of Haute-Garonne, came just one day after 113 vaccinated cows were slaughtered in the Ariège department — a move many farmers describe as both “devastating” and “absurd.”

Their goal was clear: to alert the public and pressure authorities to revise an animal health policy that they believe is no longer justified given the advancement of vaccination campaigns.

A Symbolic March Through the “Ville Rose”

The protest began at the Palais de Justice and wound its way through the heart of Toulouse, stopping at the iconic Place du Capitole before ending near the town hall. Farmers carried wooden crosses bearing the names of their slaughtered cows — Victoire, Tina, Clara — symbolizing personal loss and anger.

Four major unions joined the march:

FDSEA
Young Farmers (JA)
Coordination Rurale
Confédération Paysanne

Standing before the crowd, farmer Lydia Michel voiced what many were feeling: “Even vaccinated cows are being killed — that’s just not right.”

The protest closed with a solemn minute of silence and a rendition of the French national anthem in front of a statue representing the once-vibrant herds of the region.

READ ALSO: French Farmers Step Up Protests as Livestock Disease Crisis Deepens

Why the Anger Runs Deep

The source of the dispute lies in France’s handling of lumpy skin disease (LSD), a viral infection that affects cattle. The disease, transmitted by biting insects, causes painful nodules on the skin and can impact milk production.

Although no cases have been reported in humans, the government has adopted a strict three-part strategy since June 2025:

Mass slaughter of infected or exposed animals.
Widespread vaccination campaigns in affected zones.
Restrictions on livestock movement across regions.

While the vaccination rollout accelerated, new outbreaks still occurred. A second official case in the Ariège region was confirmed on January 1, bringing the total to 116 outbreaks nationwide. As of January 2, more than 506,000 cattle — roughly 70% of herds in the southwest — had been vaccinated.

Farmers Demand a Rethink of the Policy

Many farmers argue that continuing mass slaughter, even for vaccinated herds, is both economically and emotionally catastrophic. Angel Alegre, co-spokesperson for the Confédération paysanne in Ariège, explained:

“It’s time for the government to move forward, not backward. The science supports selective culling rather than blanket extermination.”

Producers across France are calling on the Agriculture Ministry to update its approach, focusing instead on targeted monitoring, continued vaccination, and financial compensation for affected farmers.

Beyond the Protests: A Growing Discontent in Rural France

This protest in Toulouse is part of a broader wave of agricultural discontent across France. Farmers are grappling not only with disease outbreaks but also with falling incomes, higher costs, and concerns over EU free trade agreements like Mercosur.

Many feel that rural voices are being ignored, while regulations and market pressures push small farms closer to extinction.

As the situation evolves, what’s clear is that the protests in Toulouse reflect more than frustration over veterinary policy — they echo a deeper struggle for the survival of rural France.