French reaction to outbreak relatively quiet

The French press and public reacted with surprising equanimity to the announcement that foot-and-mouth has reached their country. Since its initial communique, the Agriculture Ministry has held no press conference and made no statements.

Four farms in the Ile-et-Vilaine department were put under surveillance yesterday because pigs from the farm at La Baroche-Gondouin, where the first outbreak was confirmed on Monday, had been sent there. Suspected disease cases were reported in the Eure and Haute Vienne departments, as well as Seine-et-Marne and Rhone. The Agriculture Ministry said only that no new outbreaks have been confirmed.

Only one of the main French newspapers, the right-wing Le Figaro, made the outbreak its front-page headline. Le Monde and Liberation gave priority to disarray in the Parisian right wing during municipal elections. The preoccupation with politics over agriculture was striking. French media have not asked or speculated on what should be done or how the disease will spread. The nature and effect of embargoes on French livestock and animal products were barely mentioned.

The outbreak has, however, inspired a debate on the advisability of returning to vaccinations, which were forbidden by a 1990 EU directive - enforced in France the following year. The national veterinarians' association advocates resumption of vaccinations, at least in areas surrounding a confirmed outbreak.

The Agriculture Minister, Mr Jean Glavany, said vaccination would be "a last resort if we don't manage to control the disease".

The two chief issues are the cost of vaccinations and the effect resumption would have on exports to north America and the far east, where vaccination is considered proof of contamination, disqualifying a country for trade.

The only reaction resembling criticism was the announced intention of the farmers' association, FNSEA, to file a lawsuit "against X", a provision in French law when guilty parties are unknown. The FNSEA says it will ask judges to investigate three things:

Did the British sheep imported to the Mayenne department enter French territory before the discovery of the first outbreak in Britain?

Were the measures taken by the French government adequate?

Did the end of vaccinations create an undue risk for French livestock?

Mr Glavany has offered 500 francs (£60) for each sheep and 5,000 francs (£600) for each cow. The farmers are demanding at least 800 francs (£96) per sheep.