French Farmers Blockade Persists Over Lumpy Skin Disease Culls

French farmers protesting lumpy skin disease protocols maintained their blockade on the RN20 at the Sabart roundabout south of Tarascon-sur-Ariège into Monday evening, with 70 to 120 tractors, trucks and demonstrators present. The action, now in its fourth day since Friday's start after the culling of 207 cows at a Bordes-sur-Arize farm, diverts heavy vehicles—including buses and trucks—to a narrow mountain road unsuitable for them, while lighter cars and motorcycles can use alternatives. Regular bus services between Andorra la Vella and France remained suspended Monday, with cancellations extending into Tuesday.

Blockades at Tour de Querol and Vilafranca de Conflent lifted Sunday afternoon following diplomatic pressure from Andorra, which also averted a more disruptive action at La Croisade intersection. A filtering passage operated Saturday near Latour-de-Carol in French Cerdanya by around 50 farmers. Farmers warned of indefinite duration, with Ariège Rural Coordination president Sébastien Durand stating they would block the road to Pas de la Casa "as long as possible," even queuing up to the border to alert Paris. Christian Tallant of French Cerdanya farmers threatened to "cut everything" next week without changes, rejecting full-herd culls in favour of selective slaughter and nationwide vaccination. Some reports suggested protests could persist until New Year's if unresolved.

The standoff has slashed visitor numbers to Pas de la Casa during peak ski season, leaving streets emptier than a typical weekend and hitting retail, ski operations and events like NeuFest. Shopkeeper Fabrice Dupré reported subdued trade, Chamber of Commerce president Josep Maria Mas noted two buses with 150 passengers turned back Saturday, and merchants' association head Òscar Ramon described volumes like a weekday. Impacts threaten the Christmas campaign if prolonged.

Government spokesperson Guillem Casal, who also oversees environment, agriculture and livestock, reported ongoing contacts with French prefectures since Friday, conveying that Andorra "cannot be the victims" of a dispute outside its control. He acknowledged farmers' grievances but stressed the Principat offers no resolution and deserves unimpeded access, especially amid winter tourism and pre-Christmas peaks. Efforts secured concessions but no firm end to the Tarascon site, pending French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard's Monday Toulouse visit to launch Occitanie vaccinations—potentially covering 600,000 to one million cattle—and meet unions. Around 200 local mayors rallied in Foix supporting farmers' calls for protocol review.

Socialdemocrat Pere Baró submitted parliamentary questions Monday, seeking details on diplomatic actions, expected duration, contingency plans, economic effects on Pas de la Casa and assurances Andorra won't suffer as collateral. Authorities advised monitoring traffic and using detours via Pyrénées-Orientales. Over 70% of Andorran cattle farms are vaccinated, nearing 100% with movement curbs in place. French unions expressed frustration post-Genevard meeting, hinting at further actions without concessions.