French Farmers Blockade RN20 Indefinitely Over Cow Culls

French farmers continued their blockade of the RN20 at the Sabart roundabout south of Tarascon-sur-Ariège into Tuesday, with 70 to 120 tractors, trucks and protesters on site. The action, now in its sixth day since Friday following the culling of 207 cows at a Bordes-sur-Arize farm over lumpy skin disease, showed no signs of lifting as organisers awaited outcomes from French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard's meetings with unions in Toulouse.

Ariège Rural Coordination president Sébastien Durand warned of holding the site indefinitely—potentially through New Year's—unless protocols change, threatening queues reaching the Pas de la Casa border to pressure Paris. "We will cut the road to Pas de la Casa for as long as possible," Durand said, adding that farmers are equipped with heating and shelters to endure. Christian Tallant of French Cerdanya farmers echoed the threat, stating that without solutions by week's end, "next week we will cut everything," including all access to Andorra, after notifying Ariège prefecture. Unions rejected full-herd slaughters, demanding selective culls, nationwide vaccinations beyond limited zones, and proof of vaccine efficacy amid reports of disease spreading south.

Overnight escalation included the "operation castor," felling about 100 trees to block the parallel RD20 mountain route. Vehicles over 19 tonnes, including buses and trucks, must detour via Pyrénées-Orientales through Puymorens tunnel or train to L'Hospitalet. Lighter vehicles under 2.20 metres wide use the narrow, winding RD123 in both directions, with extreme caution urged. Regular bus services from Andorra la Vella to France remained suspended Tuesday, with new mobilisations planned midweek in Pyrénées-Orientales.

Blockades at Tour de Querol and Vilafranca de Conflent lifted Sunday after Andorran diplomatic efforts, which also prevented a cutoff at La Croisade. Genevard announced expanded Occitanie vaccinations targeting 600,000 to one million cattle and reinforced sanitary measures, but unions left frustrated, seeking broader rollout. Around 200 Ariège mayors rallied in Foix for protocol review. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu convened an emergency Paris meeting with ministers and prefects to accelerate vaccinations.

Disruptions have emptied Pas de la Casa streets during peak ski season, halting retail and events like NeuFest. Shopkeeper Fabrice Dupré reported just two small local sales Monday, with no tourists or Spanish visitors. Chamber of Commerce president Josep Maria Mas noted 150 passengers turned back Saturday, and merchants' association head Òscar Ramon likened volumes to a weekday. Prolonged action risks the Christmas campaign.

Government spokesperson Guillem Casal, overseeing environment, agriculture and livestock, reported ongoing contacts with French prefectures and grassroots organisers since Friday. Andorra "cannot be the victims" of an external dispute despite sympathising with farmers' grievances, he said, crediting pressure for averting La Croisade and other blockades. The Principat offers no resolution but insists on unimpeded access amid winter tourism peaks, including aid like veterinarians for vaccinations. Over 70% of Andorran cattle farms are vaccinated, targeting 100% soon, with movement restrictions, disinfection and disease-free certificates enforced. Casal noted challenges negotiating with unstructured grassroots groups.

Socialdemocrat Pere Baró submitted parliamentary questions seeking details on diplomatic efforts, duration estimates, contingency plans, economic impacts on Pas de la Casa and protections against collateral damage.

Authorities advise monitoring traffic and using detours. French unions signal further actions absent concessions.