French ministers hold crisis meeting to discuss agriculture protests

Several cabinet ministers arrived at the prime minister’s office on Tuesday for an agriculture meeting called by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.

The talks focused on the government’s response to an outbreak of lumpy skin disease in livestock and ongoing concerns within the farming sector. Measures to control the disease, including the culling of affected animals, have prompted protests in several parts of France.

Farmers have also expressed opposition to the planned signing of a free-trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc. The government says the meeting aims to review the situation and assess next steps for the agricultural sector.