"The French government on Friday warned protesting farmers against erecting blockades during the festive season, while unions were divided over further tactics in a standoff over a cow disease. For more than a week, farmers in the southwest of the country have staged protests against a mass cull of cows to contain the spread of nodular dermatitis, widely known as lumpy skin disease. They have blocked roads, sprayed manure and dumped garbage in front of government offices to force the authorities to review their mass slaughter policy."
"On Friday, farmers staged a protest in the northern resort city of Le Touquet, placing a coffin outside the residence of French President Emmanuel Macron. In the northern town of Alencon, a protester threw red paint in front of a public building. Representatives of farmers' unions were received by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Friday but their leaders were divided over the next course of action. After the meeting, the hardline Coordination Rurale (CR), which has been spearheading the protests together with the Confederation Paysanne union, stopped short of calling for a Christmas truce and the removal of the roadblocks."
"CR head Bertrand Venteau said it would be up to union leaders on the ground to decide what to do next, but nevertheless asked the protesting farmers to "go and rest" for several days. "The population is behind us, we can't alienate them," said Venteau. He suggested there was "a glimmer of hope" that a solution could be found in early January to put an end to the mass slaughter of herds."
Protesting farmers in southwest France have staged blockades, sprayed manure and dumped garbage to oppose a mass cull intended to contain nodular dermatitis, widely known as lumpy skin disease. The protests have also targeted a postponed EU-Mercosur trade deal and included placing a coffin outside President Macron's residence and throwing red paint at a public building. Farmers' union representatives met Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu but remained divided on next steps. The hardline Coordination Rurale urged local leaders to decide actions and suggested a temporary rest, while Confederation Paysanne would not call for lifting blockades. Officials warned against blockades during the festive season.
Read at The Local France
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