Protests against animal culling are growing

French farmers are opposing the culling of entire herds where the disease is detected, demanding that only sick animals be put down. In line with these demands, farmers are calling for the current policy to be changed.

In the village of Bordes-sur-Arize in the Ariège department, it was decided to put down approximately 200 cattle after the disease was detected on a farm. This decision sparked a backlash from local farmers and ignited the protests.

TRAFFIC DISRUPTED ON HIGHWAYS

The protests also spread to the A64 highway connecting the cities of Toulouse and Tarbes. The Vinci Autoroutes group announced that traffic flow was severely disrupted on some routes. The "Autoroute A64" social media account reported that vehicle passage had come to a standstill in some areas due to the farmers' actions. Security forces have taken measures to ensure the safety of both drivers and protesters.

FARMERS MARCHED TO THE MINISTRY WITH THEIR TRACTORS

At the call of the Coordination Rurale union, many farmers gathered with their tractors in front of the former office of French Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard. The farmers showed their reaction by lighting a barbecue there. The Pyrenees-Atlantiques Prefecture announced that farmers set fire to hay bales on the highway in the city of Lescar and attempted to damage barriers. It was stated that two police officers were slightly injured during the incidents.

VACCINATION PLAN ANNOUNCED

In an interview with the radio station ICI Occitanie, Minister of Agriculture Annie Genevard announced that approximately 1 million cattle will be vaccinated in the coming weeks to prevent the spread of the disease.

TENSIONS REMAIN HIGH

In the village of Bordes-sur-Arize, farmers began a protest on December 10 to block the entry of veterinarians arriving to carry out the culling process. On the night of December 11, tensions rose between the gendarmerie and the protesters, leading to a scuffle that lasted until late at night. Security forces used tear gas against the group blocking the farm entrance.

While farmers' protests are expected to continue across France in the coming days, it remains to be seen whether the government will make any changes to the policy.

News Source: 12punto