Paris Agriculture Fair opens without cows for first time due to disease fears
France 24
by FRANCE 24February 21, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
French President Emmanuel Macron officially opened the Paris Agriculture Fair this year under unprecedented circumstances: with no cows on display and without the participation of France's two largest farmer unions. The fair, traditionally a major event in French agriculture, saw cows banned entirely due to an outbreak of lumpy skin disease, which has caused significant concern among farmers and officials alike.
The decision to exclude cows from Europe’s largest agricultural exhibition was made by organizers following an alarming rise in cases of lumpy skin disease across France. The highly contagious virus, spread primarily by biting insects, has led to fever, painful skin lesions, and reduced milk production in cattle. With 117 outbreaks reported—mostly in regions near the Alps and southwest France—the government imposed strict restrictions on cattle movement to contain the outbreak.
Farmers unions are using the fair as a platform to voice their growing frustration with economic pressures and the EU’s proposed trade deal with the South American Mercosur bloc, which they believe could further destabilize the agricultural sector. Their boycott of the event underscores deeper struggles faced by French farmers, including disputes over how the government has handled the lumpy skin disease crisis.
The lifting of most movement restrictions for cattle came a day before the fair’s opening, signaling tentative progress in managing the outbreak. Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard assured that France is now returning to normal agricultural activities, though some localized restrictions remain in place, particularly near areas linked to Spain where cases persist.
This year’s Paris Agriculture Fair highlights not only the challenges posed by lumpy skin disease but also broader concerns about the future of French farming. The absence of cows and farmer
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/21/2026