French Farmers End Andorra Road Blockades Over Lumpy Skin Disease Culls

French farmers protesting mandatory livestock culls due to lumpy skin disease have agreed to lift blockades on key access roads to Andorra's Pas de la Casa, ending disruptions at Ur and Tarascó that began last week.

Spokesperson Christian Tallant announced the decision Friday afternoon following meetings in Paris with Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The Ur blockade, launched Friday morning with around 150 farmers from French and Spanish Cerdanya and 60 tractors fully obstructing RN20, RN320 and RN22, will clear Saturday midday. The Tarascó site, ongoing with tents and no initial end date, will reopen over the weekend. Tallant stated no full agreement was reached but farmers felt their concerns were addressed. A scientific committee will convene Monday in Paris to evaluate culling only infected animals and a second vaccination campaign next spring in Pyrénées-Orientales. Protocol approval is slated for January 5, with protesters committing to no further action until then, though they warned of renewed mobilizations if unmet.

Earlier Friday, farmers initiated the Ur action at 10am despite French authorities' efforts to prevent it. Gendarmes and Spanish police oversaw the site without eviction, enabling limited slow passage until Saturday. Traffic rerouted via Mont-Louis, Llívia, Puigcerdà and Riu Runer border, with local resident access unresolved initially. Protesters demanded policy shifts to target only sick animals and vaccinate all cattle, using Andorran disruptions to press Paris.

The action marked the ninth day of nationwide protests, including clashes in Brussels involving 7,300 farmers and 950 tractors against the EU-Mercosur deal, whose signing France has postponed. Lecornu called for de-escalation during school holidays.

Andorra's government voiced maximum concern. Foreign Affairs Minister Imma Tor emphasized effects on Pas de la Casa businesses, students, families and visitors, engaging the Occitanie prefect and French ambassador. She acknowledged Andorra's limited influence over France's domestic matter but noted French firmness against extensions or new blockades. Alternative routes like RD20 (Corniches), a parallel road and RD123 (under 2.2m width) remained open, though unsuitable for heavy vehicles in mountainous terrain.

Andbus suspended Toulouse services indefinitely, refunding nearly 200 tickets. Catrans rerouted 85% of French goods via small trucks through L'Hospitalet, favoring Spanish supplies.

Pas de la Casa traders, led by Òscar Ramon, depended on locals and skiers ahead of the December 26 peak, citing cancellations, fewer French visitors, empty hotels and sluggish sales like unsold panettones. Apartment manager Valérie Lackner reported group cancellations and added rerouting efforts. Businesses criticized poor communication and felt neglected. Encamp's Laura Mas questioned French security's tolerance of blockades aimed at prompting Andorran pressure on Paris.