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Farmers’ Protests Disrupt Travel Across Southwestern France Amid Disease Outbreak

A wave of farmer protests continues to grip the Occitania region of France, entering its fourth day on Sunday, december 14, 2025, and significantly disrupting traffic on key roadways. The demonstrations, fueled by concerns over health protocols and a recent outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LCD), are impacting travel to popular destinations like the Pyrenees mountains.

Mounting Frustration Over Livestock disease

The unrest follows the forced slaughter of approximately thirty cattle on Saturday after a new outbreak of lumpy skin disease was detected in Haute-Garonne. This highly contagious disease, which affects cattle, has ignited anger among agricultural unions, who are demanding changes to the current health protocols. Unions are actively organizing to prolong the movement, with a particular focus on disrupting traffic flow on the A64 highway near Carbonne, southwest of Toulouse.

Major Road Closures and Traffic Impacts – December 14, 2025

As of 9:24 a.m. local time, meaningful traffic disruptions are reported across the region.

• The A64 remains closed in both directions between Montréjeau (exit 17) and Briscous (exits 3/4), severely hindering access to the Pyrenees, including the Luchon station.
• The Val d’Aran ramp (A645) is also closed, requiring drivers to exit onto the D817 towards Spain and prohibiting entry at Croix du Bazert (exit 1) towards Toulouse and Bayonne.
• Further west, the A62, connecting Bordeaux and Toulouse, is closed at the Castelsarrasin interchange (exit 9) in Tarn-et-Garonne. Motorists are being diverted, with specific routes outlined for traffic heading in both directions:
  • Towards Bordeaux: Enter the motorway via the Valence d’Agen interchange (exit 8).
  • Towards Toulouse/Paris: Enter the motorway via the Bressols interchange (exit 68) on the A20 motorway.

Did you know? – Lumpy skin disease does not affect humans, but causes significant economic losses for cattle farmers due to reduced milk production, weight loss, and potential death of animals.

Earlier this morning, at 6 a.m., reports indicated continued severe disruption on the A64 between Toulouse and Bayonne, with the highway entirely cut off between Montréjeau (exit 17) and Briscous (exits 3/4). The A645 motorway ramp (Val d’Aran ramp) also remains closed, with the same exit and entry restrictions in place. Additionally, the bram interchange (exit 22) on the A61, linking Narbonne to Toulouse, is currently closed to traffic.

Pro tip: – before traveling in the Occitania region, consult the Bison Futé website or app for real-time traffic updates and option route suggestions.

The situation remains fluid, and travelers are advised to check for the latest updates before embarking on journeys in the region.

Reader question: – What changes to health protocols would farmers like to see implemented to prevent future outbreaks of lumpy skin disease? Share your thoughts.

Why are the protests happening? Farmers are protesting the government’s response to a recent outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LCD) and demanding changes to health protocols they believe are insufficient. The forced slaughter of cattle has fueled their anger. Who is involved? The protests are led by agricultural unions in the Occitania region of France, impacting travelers and local communities. What is the extent of the disruption? Major highways, including the A64, A62, and A61, are closed or severely disrupted, hindering access to popular destinations like the Pyrenees. How did it end? As of December