The 62nd edition of the International Agricultural Show opened on February 21, 2026, in Paris, without cattle due to nodular contagious dermatitis. Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the event under heightened police protection, amid tensions with some unions that boycotted his visit. The atmosphere was described as calm and aseptic, marked by the absence of the usual animal sounds and smells.
The International Agricultural Show (SIA), in its 62nd edition, opened its doors on February 21, 2026, at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Center in Paris. For the first time, the event is taking place without cattle in hall 1, due to bovine nodular contagious dermatitis (DNC). Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard stated that no cases had been detected since January 2, marking the end of the epidemic in France, although the disease remains under surveillance.
Emmanuel Macron arrived around 8:30 a.m., accompanied by a massive security detail. Access to hall 1 was partially blocked for part of the morning, forcing visitors to take a detour. Instead of the traditional breakfast with unions, the president held bilateral meetings with the FNSEA and the Coordination rurale, while the Confédération paysanne and the Coordination rurale boycotted the inauguration. Stéphane Galais, spokesperson for the Confédération paysanne, said: “We do not want to be puppets in the presidential show. It is indecent to play along in a fake showcase.”
Members of the Coordination rurale attempted to disrupt the presidential walkabout, without success due to the reinforced security. The absence of cows transformed the atmosphere: “It’s very aseptic, you don’t hear the mooing of calves or the bells of mountain breeds,” noted an observer. Emmanuel Macron celebrated the victory over DNC: “We can be pleased to be winning the fight durably against dermatitis. Since the beginning of the year, we have no more DNC cases.” He called for unity: “These are moments when everyone must stand behind French farming, it’s not a moment of division (…) it’s a moment when unity must prevail.”
Stéphane Travert, chairman of the National Assembly’s economic affairs committee, regretted: “It’s sad, it doesn’t smell like cows and there are no noises.” A hologram of the show’s mascot cow Biguine, a Brahman breed from Martinique, replaced the real animal presence. These tensions are set against a backdrop of union distrust, exacerbated by deals like the one with Mercosur.
