For the first time in its history, the Paris International Agricultural Show, which opened today, February 21, 2026, does not feature any cattle. The absence of bovines is a direct result of concerns surrounding the spread of lumpy skin disease, a viral infection affecting cattle.
The decision to ban cattle was made to prevent the potential spread of the disease, which, while now largely contained, prompted significant preventative measures. According to France’s Agriculture Minister, the situation is now under control, with no active cases reported in most of the country, except for a compact area in the Pyrénées-Orientales region.
Here’s not the first time livestock have been excluded from the annual Salon de l’Agriculture. In 2006, poultry were barred from the event due to an outbreak of avian influenza. The current situation, however, marks the first time that cattle – a traditional and prominent feature of the show – have been excluded.
The show is instead highlighting other livestock, with a particular focus on sheep from the Aveyron region, specifically the Lacaune breed. Organizers are emphasizing the importance of supporting French farmers and showcasing the diversity of agricultural production.
The ban follows a period of heightened vigilance regarding lumpy skin disease. The disease, which causes fever and skin nodules in cattle, poses a significant economic threat to the agricultural sector. The French government implemented vaccination and movement restriction policies to contain the outbreak.
While the majority of France is now considered free of the disease, authorities are maintaining strict monitoring in the affected area of the Pyrénées-Orientales. The Agriculture Ministry has not yet announced a timeline for lifting the ban on cattle at future agricultural shows.
