PARIS – French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the 62nd International Agriculture Show in Paris on Saturday, facing an unusual scene: an empty space where cattle are traditionally displayed and a noticeable absence of key agricultural unions. The show, held at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center, opened under heightened security amid ongoing tensions with farming syndicates.
Upon arrival at 8:30 a.m., Macron immediately headed towards Biguine, the show’s featured cow – a Brahman breed originating from Martinique. Still, Biguine was not a live animal, but a hologram. The absence of live bovine exhibits is a direct result of the ongoing crisis related to the contagious nodular dermatitis (DNC) disease, prompting organizers to forgo the traditional animal parade out of fear of spreading the contagion, according to reports.
“It’s a bit sad, it doesn’t smell like cows and there’s no noise,” remarked Stéphane Travert, president of the economic affairs commission in the National Assembly (Ensemble pour la République), highlighting the unusual atmosphere. Macron had urged show organizers to maintain a bovine presence to preserve the event’s core identity, but his request went unheeded.
Despite the absence of live cattle, Macron stated, “We can be pleased that we are durably winning the fight against dermatosis. Since the beginning of the year, there have been no further cases of DNC.” This statement comes as France24 reported that the show was also inaugurated without the presence of the Confédération paysanne and the Coordination rurale, both of which are boycotting the event.
The inauguration took place against a backdrop of broader discontent within the agricultural sector, as reported by RFI. The show’s opening occurred as Macron’s administration faces strong opposition from agricultural unions, signaling a potentially challenging dialogue regarding the future of French farming policies. Europe1 reported the day as a “marathon” for Macron, unfolding in a relatively calm atmosphere despite the underlying tensions.
