When farmers in France have something to complain about to the authorities, they don’t mince their words or, indeed, their actions. 

There is currently unrest in the farming community in France due, in particular, to the French government’s management of lumpy skin disease (LSD), a contagious viral disease in cattle and water buffalo causing fever, painful skin nodules (lumps), swollen lymph nodes and reduced milk. This leads to economic losses for the farmers, but it does not affect humans or food safety, with meat and milk safe to consume.

Farmers are therefore reacting to the government’s decision to cull whole herds with various measures. In the Gironde region this December, they decided to block the A63 motorway south of Bordeaux, causing very significant traffic difficulties and miles of traffic, with around fifty sleeping on the motorway overnight. 

On the verge of opening a new restaurant in Bordeaux, Michelin-starred chef Philippe Etchebest had a warm word for the farmers who were protesting, as a citizen and not as a celebrity. He had colleagues, suppliers, and friends present at the blockade. 

"Without our farmers, I wouldn't exist. I live through their products, through what they do every day," he declared, standing next to one of his suppliers. 

Since setting up their blockade on December 14th, the farmers have also received support from numerous citizens and a restaurateur who came to the site with his food truck. 



Credits: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=128829301">Link</a> By Pavanaja