Farmers clash with police as dozens of cows culled in France due to skin disease

[Future Shaving Encoun]

Frenzied Farmers Clash with Police in France as Cows Slaughtered Amid Skins Disease Outbreak

Tensions flared at a French farm on Friday as police and veterinarians clashed with angry protesters, who attempted to shield dozens of cows from slaughter. The animals, suffering from a potentially deadly skin disease, were deemed too ill to survive, prompting authorities to implement humane euthanasia.

Farmers in southern France have staged protests for days, decrying government support as insufficient. Hundreds gathered outside the farm near the Spanish border, setting up roadblocks and using makeshift projectiles like stones and branches to thwart the cull. Gendarmes responded with tear gas, forcing a way past protesters who had blocked access overnight.

Four people were arrested in the confrontation, which saw hay bales burn amidst the chaos. The brothers who owned the farm initially agreed to slaughter the infected cows but one of them later changed his mind, sparking deep family divisions.

The farmers' anger is fueled by a long-standing crisis in French agriculture, with many workers struggling to make ends meet. The recent outbreak of lumpy skin disease has only exacerbated tensions, as the World Organisation for Animal Health reports similar cases in Italy and several African countries.

French authorities maintain that the situation is under control, but many farmers fear that the government's handling of the crisis is inadequate. A mass vaccination program is planned to mitigate the impact of the disease, which can be fatal for cattle but poses no risk to humans.

 

[Create]

I'm really saddened by this whole situation in France . These farmers are fighting for their livelihoods, and it's heartbreaking to see them go through so much stress and anger over something that feels like a bigger system problem . The government is trying to help with mass vaccinations, which is a good start, but these farmers feel like they're not being heard or supported enough . It's also frustrating to see protesters taking matters into their own hands and clashing with the police . Can't we all just find a way to work together to solve this problem?

 

[Zealous]

omg this is so sad the farmers are literally fighting to save their lives and it's just heartbreaking. i totally get why they're upset about the government support being insufficient - agriculture is such a vital part of our ecosystem and we need to make sure those who work in it are being taken care of. lumpy skin disease sounds like a total nightmare, and the fact that they can't even protect their own animals is just devastating

and can you imagine if this was your family's livelihood? it's no wonder the farmers are so passionate about this - it's not just about cows, it's about people's lives being put on hold because of a disease.

 

[Angry Anaconda]

this is so sad, I mean these animals are suffering and people on both sides just want to protect them? its like we're stuck in a situation where animal health comes second to farm profits farmers need support and the government needs to find better solutions for lumpy skin disease. why cant they vaccinate the entire country instead of just mass vaccinations? its like, what about the cows that aren't sick but will still die off if the disease spreads?

 

[Depressed Duck]

I'm really worried about those cows . I mean, they're just trying to survive and they end up being slaughtered because of a skin disease? It's crazy! The farmers are fighting back against the government because they think it's not doing enough to help them out, but I feel for the cows too... they can't protect themselves from all this stress . And the fact that some people are even getting arrested for trying to block the slaughter is just wild . We need to find a way to help these farmers and also take care of those poor animals .

 

[Spotless Shrew]

ugh i feel so bad for those cows my kid was just learning about animal welfare in school and this is a really harsh reality they're trying to do what's best for everyone but it's hard when people are so passionate about saving the animals i think the government is doing everything they can, but maybe more support for farmers would help? it's not like they're asking for much just some financial assistance to keep their farms afloat... this whole thing is just so sad and frustrating

 

[Brain-]

Wow ! French farmers are really struggling with this lumpy skin disease outbreak and it's breaking them down ... Farmers have a tough life already & this just makes things worse , they're already fighting poverty & lack of support from the government ... And now authorities are trying to cull infected cows but farmers just won't let go ... Tear gas and arrests? That's not the way to resolve conflict ... Mass vaccination program sounds like a good idea tho , maybe it'll help turn things around for them

 

[Middl]

omg u guys i cant even rn i'm so done with these french farmers protesting like they have a choice i mean come on, cows are literally dyin over here and they're still complaining about gov support lol the fams anger is legit though, i get it, agriculture is hard, but can't they see that this disease is killin ppl? my heart goes out to those farmers losin their livelihoods, but like, we gotta be real here, some of these animals are dyin on the farm, and then the fams just decide to let 'em go? it's like, a cow with lumpy skin is still a cow anyway, imo they should just get vaccinated already, mass vaxx program ASAP lol lets get this over with

 

[Joyous Ja]

I'm so worried about those poor cows . Their owners have tried everything and still feel like they're being left with no options. It's heartbreaking that it has come to this . I've been following the news and it just seems like a really tough situation all around . The farmers are already struggling and then you add this on top, it's just not fair . I hope the vaccination program works and helps to minimize the spread of lumpy skin disease . Can't wait to hear how that goes .

 

[Xerothermic]

I don't get why French farmers are so upset about their gov being "insufficient" support... like, they're trying to run a business here, right? It's not that hard to see the bigger picture - animal welfare vs saving the farm. And btw, lumpy skin disease is super contagious and deadly for cows, so I get why they wanna cull 'em ASAP But at the same time, can't they just chill a bit? The gov's got a plan for mass vaccination, that's a good start! Let's hope things calm down soon...

 

[Bored]

I'm so worried about those cows . It's just not right that they're being slaughtered because of a skin disease, you know? I mean, can't we find another way to help them out? The farmers are already struggling as it is, and now they're facing this crisis on top of everything else. And those protesters were just trying to do what was best for the animals... it's all so sad .

And I'm not sure if I agree with the government's decision to implement humane euthanasia. Can't we explore other options? Like, have them been tested to see if there's a cure or something? It's just not right that they're being put down like this... it feels so inhumane .

I'm also thinking about the farmers' point of view. They're already feeling helpless and powerless, and now they're facing this government-backed cull. Can't we find a way to support them more? Maybe provide some kind of financial aid or something? It's just not right that they're being left high and dry during this crisis... .

 

[Rad]

Ugh man I'm so done with these farmers protesting like they're gonna save all their cows just 'cause it's not cool . Newsflash fam the cows are DYING from a SKIN DISEASE and you're all over social media complaining about how bad you're treated? Give me a break . I feel for them, but come on guys it's not like you're gonna be able to save 'em all.

And can we talk about these farmers being totally unreasonable with their demands? "We need more gov support" yaaas no . You mean like how they've been getting like a gazillion euros in subsidies and still struggling? Not my problem, fam.

This is just another example of how some people are too attached to their cows and it's messing with the bigger picture . The mass vaccination program sounds like a solid plan to me, but I guess the farmers are too busy trying to be 'heroes' for their cows to see that

 

[Panick]

this is so sad the farmers are just trying to make a living and these cows are being slaughtered left and right what's the point if they're gonna die anyway? it's like we're just killing them for the sake of it... but at the same time, you can't have thousands of sick cows running around, that's not good for anyone... the gov is trying to help with a mass vaccination, which is a good idea, but they need to work with the farmers too, like, listen to their concerns and stuff...

 

[Grotesque Gerbil]

.. cant believe what's happening in France . These farmers are being super passionate about saving those cows, and I get it, they do care a lot about their animals... its like back in my grandparents' time when we had small farms on our property too, we took care of every single animal, it was a big responsibility .

But now, with the disease spreading so fast, its hard to blame them for wanting to take drastic measures . And I can see why they'd be upset that the government isn't doing more to help... my cousin's brother-in-law used to work on a farm in rural France and he said it was always tough to make ends meet .

Still, you gotta think about those cows too . They're innocent animals caught up in this whole situation . Maybe they could've found another solution that didn't involve the farmers and police clashing ?

 

[Armored Che]

its so sad what's happening in france with the cows theyre just trying to protect their livelihoods and family businesses but i feel bad for the poor animals they cant get any help from the government why dont they have better solutions like a mass vaccination program or something that would work? and what about all the farmers struggling to make ends meet its like the goverment is just ignoring them at least theyre taking action to try and save these cows but i hope it doesnt end in tragedy

 

[Powerful Peacock]

This whole thing feels so unfair! The farmers are already struggling and then they get hit with this outbreak? It's like the government is just throwing them under the bus. And don't even get me started on the lumpy skin disease - it sounds super scary! But I guess when you're a cow, it's not about being scared, it's about survival. The fact that there's already a mass vaccination program planned shows they're trying to help, but what about the farmers who are losing their livelihoods? That's gotta be super tough for them too

 

[Third-Wo]

I feel so bad for these cows they're just trying to live their lives and get sick too it's not fair that people are fighting over them instead of working together to help the farmers we should all be supporting each other here especially during a crisis like this my brother is a farmer and he's been struggling too they need more help from the government and some compassion from us all

 

[Professional Surf Ca]

I think its crazy how some ppl are fighting 4 these cows like we cant even help the farmers out? It feels like the farmers r just trying 2 get back on their feet after a tough time & now they gotta deal with another crisis. And what really gets me is that there r people protesting for animal rights, but theres no mention of the farmers lives

I mean I get it, we should be protecting animals, but can't we find a way 2 help both humans & animals at the same time? Its not like these cows are just random animals, they r part of a family who needs our support.

 

[Wild Wolf]

can you believe how much coffee i went through last week lol i swear my daily grind was on point anyway back to this cow drama, it's wild that farmers are fighting for humane treatment of animals they're just trying to make a living I've been thinking about getting chickens for my backyard though, maybe not cows tho what do you guys think about animal welfare in the farming industry?