Andorra Pushes for Bruna Cattle Return at Paris Ag Show After Disease Ban

Andorra's Environment, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Guillem Casal attended the 62nd International Agriculture Show (SIA) in Paris on Monday and Tuesday to strengthen ties between the Principality's primary sectors and France, while advocating for the return of its Bruna cattle breed in 2027.

The delegation had planned to exhibit Bruna specimens, as agreed with organizers, but an outbreak of nodular contagious dermatosis (DNC) barred all bovine animals from the event—the first such exclusion in its 65-year history. Other species were present at the show, which draws over 600,000 visitors annually to exchange knowledge, highlight innovations and promote agricultural products, including those from Andorra.

Casal stressed the shared goal with French partners and Andorra's livestock sector of resuming full Bruna participation by the 2027 edition. In a bilateral meeting with French Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry Minister Annie Genevard, he outlined how Andorran authorities vaccinated 100% of livestock farms against DNC. The ministers agreed on the need to prioritize animal health and pledged coordinated efforts against cross-border sanitary threats affecting regional livestock. They scheduled follow-up discussions at a technical meeting in June involving Andorra, France and Spain.

To secure future Bruna displays, Casal also met SIA president Jérôme Despey. He held further talks with Philippe Lacube, president of the Ariège Chamber of Agriculture; Christian Asna, president of Groupe Gasconne des Pyrénées; and Émeric Jouhet, the group's director and current chair of CORAM, the collective for local mountain breeds. The conversations focused on expanding livestock cooperation.