January 20, 2026

 

No cows at major agricultural event in Paris, France, due to LSD

 

 

There will be ‍no cows at Europe's largest agricultural show in Paris, France, this year for the first time ever after an outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in the country sparked fears of contamination, organisers said on January 13.

 

The 500 to 600 cattle usually present at the International Agriculture Show are a major attraction at the annual event, which ‍draws about 600,000 people.

 

"We took the decision last night that there would be no cattle at the international farm show 2026," SIA Chairman Jérôme Despey told reporters.

 

"This is a historic decision that has saddened us," he added, stressing that the show would still feature many other animals including pigs, sheep, horses, dogs, and cats.

 

There ‍have been more than 100 LSD outbreaks detected in France, mostly near the Alps and in southwestern France.

 

The farm ministry said the disease was under control in France thanks to vaccination. Still, some farmers want to avoid taking any risk while others want ‌to express their solidarity with affected farmers, Despey said.

 

Some French farmers have criticised the government's handling of the virus, which has involved ‍culling all animals in a contaminated herd. Opposition to the policy was one of the reasons behind recent farmer-led protests in Paris.

 

FNSEA, France's main farmers' union, backs the government's policy.

 

The organisers were hoping the protests would not extend to the show, which attracts top politicians every ‍year.

 

- FRANCE 24 / Reuters