Confédération paysanne led nationwide blockades and protests after violent clashes in Ariège over the government's decision to cull herds infected with lumpy skin disease.Coordination rurale (CR), voiced by José Pérez and led by Bertrand Venteau, demanded slaughter only of confirmed sick animals, mass vaccination and rejected wider state culls while unions including FNSEA pressed for faster compensation; confrontations on blocked motorways prompted arrests, tear gas and thrown projectiles.About 50 actions took place nationwide, Occitanie and Ariège saw the heaviest disruption, a farmer in Gers died with officials saying no established link to the crisis, and politicians such as Annie Genevard and regional official Lionel Candelon said urgent eradication measures, quicker compensation and cancelled actions were needed as the dispute added pressure ahead of an EU vote on a Mercosur trade deal.