Paris – French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the 62nd International Agriculture Show on Saturday, February 21, 2026, amidst heightened tensions with agricultural unions and an unprecedented absence of livestock from the traditional opening ceremony. The event, a cornerstone of the French agricultural calendar, unfolded under a heightened security presence, reflecting a confluence of domestic and international pressures.
Macron’s arrival at 8:30 AM focused immediately on the designated space for the show’s emblematic animal, a Brahman cow named Biguine from Martinique. However, Biguine was present only as an hologram, a consequence of a nationwide outbreak of dermatose nodulaire contagieuse (DNC), a highly contagious skin disease affecting cattle. The decision to forgo a live animal display was a first in the show’s history, prompted by fears of spreading the disease further, despite assurances from Macron that “People can congratulate ourselves on winning the battle against dermatose.”
The absence of livestock was not the only notable deviation from tradition. Both the Confédération paysanne and the Coordination rurale, major agricultural unions, are boycotting the traditional meeting with the President, signaling deep dissatisfaction with government policies. Macron acknowledged the discontent, stating minutes before the inauguration, “It is a moment where everyone must be behind the French farm, not a moment of division,” and pledged to meet bilaterally with each union that wished to do so, alongside Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Macron met with representatives from the Fédération Nationale des Syndicats d’Exploitants Agricoles (FNSEA) and the Jeunes Agriculteurs (JA), who had accepted his invitation for dialogue. Earlier, he had visited the stand of Martinique farmer André Prosper, who had been forced to forgo bringing Biguine to the show. Prosper reportedly invited Macron to visit Martinique, highlighting the regional impact of the livestock restrictions.
The opening of the Salon de l’Agriculture takes place against a backdrop of broader agricultural unrest, as reported by RFI, with unions expressing strong opposition to current government policies. France24 reported that the show opened “under tension” and without the presence of representatives from the boycotting unions. Europe1 described the day as a “marathon” for Macron, unfolding in a “rather calm” atmosphere despite the underlying tensions. The event’s organizers had attempted to maintain a bovine presence, but were ultimately unsuccessful due to the ongoing health crisis.
Stéphane Travert, President of the National Assembly’s Economic Affairs Committee, expressed regret over the lack of traditional atmosphere, noting, “It’s sad, it doesn’t smell like cows and We find no noises.” The 62nd edition of the International Agriculture Show is proceeding without the customary sights and sounds of livestock, a symbolic representation of the challenges facing the French agricultural sector.
