Emmanuel Macron inaugurates the 62nd edition of the International Agriculture Show in Paris this Saturday, amid tensions highlighted by boycotts from several farming unions. The Coordination rurale and Confédération paysanne decline to attend the presidential breakfast, criticizing the lack of protective measures for farmers. The show opens without cattle due to the bovine nodular dermatosis epidemic.
The 62nd edition of the International Agriculture Show opens this Saturday, February 20, 2026, at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center in Paris. Emmanuel Macron, set to cut the inaugural ribbon, faces marked hostility from farming unions. The president had planned a collective breakfast with professional organizations, but they refused the format, signaling ongoing rupture.
The Coordination rurale (CR), the second-largest farming union, announced its boycott of the inauguration. Its president, Bertrand Venteau, stated: « In the moment, we do not wish to be present at the breakfast with the president of the Republic ». Secretary general François Walraet added: « I advise him against trying to visit us; the welcome could be rough ». The CR blames Macron for failing to protect French agriculture from global unfair competition, particularly through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). While no mobilization is planned, individual peaceful protests remain possible. The union will, however, meet other politicians supporting the Duplomb law.
The Confédération paysanne, the third union, is also boycotting the event for reasons of consistency and decency, due to the lack of reversal on the total slaughter of affected bovine herds and structural measures for farmer income. It will maintain its stand throughout the show.
This tension follows persistent unrest despite de-escalation efforts on the bovine nodular dermatosis epidemic – no cases detected since January 2 – and the EU-Mercosur agreement. Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard respects the absence of cattle, a breeders' choice, but regrets the missing cows, usual stars. The show compensates with 3,000 animals (sheep, pigs, horses) and the theme « Génération solutions », inviting preparation for the future without renouncing French agricultural heritage.
