The French agricultural ministry has taken the decision to temporarily ban live exports of cattle.
The ban comes into place on 18 October 2025 and is set to last until 4 November.
The decision comes as French authorities move to try to contain and combat outbreaks of contagious nodular dermatosis or what is commonly known as lumpy skin disease.
A statement by the ministry of agriculture stated: “The health strategy to combat CWD has been successful in Savoie and Haute-Savoie, where there have been no outbreaks since the beginning of September. The very recent appearance of several isolated outbreaks [one outbreak in Ain, three outbreaks in Occitanie] is worrying and is probably the result of animal movements, some of which are illegal.”
Emergency meeting
It adds that “this situation undermines the confidence of our European partners, who are closely monitoring the spread of the disease in France".
That is why French minister for agriculture, agri-food and food sovereignty Annie Genevard convened an emergency meeting of the national committee of animal and plant health policy and took the following measures:
Ban all 'festive' gatherings (competitions, fairs, exhibitions, etc) of cattle throughout mainland France.Ban, in all regions, comprising a regulated zone - namely Auvergne-Rhóne-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Occitanie – on markets for cattle intended for breeding.Ban on all cattle leaving mainland France to prevent the virus spread outside France.Implications for Ireland
It is not yet known how the ban will effect live exports from Ireland with live exporters still trying to seek clarity.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the Department of Agriculture has been in contact with French authorities throughtout the day.
It appears that Irish cattle may be allowed to continue to avail of lairage facilities in France and there is not expected to be any restriction on the transit of animals through France. This will be confirmed in due course.
Updated at 7pm on Friday 17 October. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
The French agricultural ministry has taken the decision to temporarily ban live exports of cattle.
The ban comes into place on 18 October 2025 and is set to last until 4 November.
The decision comes as French authorities move to try to contain and combat outbreaks of contagious nodular dermatosis or what is commonly known as lumpy skin disease.
A statement by the ministry of agriculture stated: “The health strategy to combat CWD has been successful in Savoie and Haute-Savoie, where there have been no outbreaks since the beginning of September. The very recent appearance of several isolated outbreaks [one outbreak in Ain, three outbreaks in Occitanie] is worrying and is probably the result of animal movements, some of which are illegal.”
Emergency meeting
It adds that “this situation undermines the confidence of our European partners, who are closely monitoring the spread of the disease in France".
That is why French minister for agriculture, agri-food and food sovereignty Annie Genevard convened an emergency meeting of the national committee of animal and plant health policy and took the following measures:
Ban all 'festive' gatherings (competitions, fairs, exhibitions, etc) of cattle throughout mainland France.Ban, in all regions, comprising a regulated zone - namely Auvergne-Rhóne-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Occitanie – on markets for cattle intended for breeding.Ban on all cattle leaving mainland France to prevent the virus spread outside France.Implications for Ireland
It is not yet known how the ban will effect live exports from Ireland with live exporters still trying to seek clarity.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the Department of Agriculture has been in contact with French authorities throughtout the day.
It appears that Irish cattle may be allowed to continue to avail of lairage facilities in France and there is not expected to be any restriction on the transit of animals through France. This will be confirmed in due course.
Updated at 7pm on Friday 17 October. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
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