French farming crisis a result of ‘15 years of failure’ in policy, expert says

The Paris Agriculture Fair opened on Saturday without cows on display for the first time in its history – a major attraction that has drawn large crowds in previous years – due to concerns over a recent outbreak of lumpy skin disease. The government’s handling of the epidemic, which included culling entire herds in affected areas, has been criticised by some French farmers. Anger over the issue was among the drivers of protests in Paris last month. Jean-Luc Demarty, former director-general for trade at the European Commission, said the broader problems plaguing France’s farming sector stem from “15 years of failure” in the country’s agricultural policy.