Those travelling to the 2025 Sommet de l’Élevage in France will be disappointed to hear there will be no dairy cattle and almost no beef cattle at the event as a result of the spread of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in the country.

First detected in France in June 2025, the disease has continued to spread across the eastern part of the country.

A highly contagious viral disease affecting only cattle and buffalo, it causes symptoms like fever, skin nodules and a reduction in milk yield.

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France has implemented surveillance zones, restricted cattle movement and launched a compulsory vaccination campaign to try and curtail the disease.

As one of the largest shows in Europe, the Sommet normally attracts over 2,000 animals across 70 different breeds.

This year, the event was to host the French national Charolais show, one of the most prestigious cattle shows in the country.

However, due to the risk of LSD, there will only be a small number of Charolais cattle in attendance.