Thousands of non-compliant LED lights were installed on farms as part of a large-scale fraud involving energy transition credits, leading to animal suffering and a drop in livestock production. The program, launched in 2022 by government-controlled energy companies, aimed to give financial incentives to entrepreneurs replacing old halogen lights with more energy-efficient LED lights. However, by 2025, the initiative had turned into a disaster due to poor oversight of the Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) system and the actions of fraudsters. The program, known as "external lighting" (code name BAT-EQ-127), was targeted by fraudsters because it offered generous financial incentives and had several weaknesses. The CEE system, which requires fuel, gasoline, or gas sellers to fund energy-saving projects, offered about 30 euros for replacing a 100-watt light in an agricultural shed. Fraudsters managed to negotiate the cost of lights for about 10 euros per unit, offering a 20-euro profit after expenses. Dozens of short-lived companies flooded the market with low-quality equipment at a price of zero euros, exploiting the system’s loopholes. The sudden surge in fraudulent activity remains partly unclear. It may have been triggered by a government clarification in early 2025, which explicitly opened the program to the agricultural sector. Alternatively, it could be the result of a strategic push by a small group of individuals who focused on exploiting these loopholes, especially after the MaPrimeRenov’ program was halted. The falling prices of LED equipment also likely played a role, enabling profits that are not typical in professional markets. Fraudsters installed far more lights than necessary, often up to 50 units in a shed that only needed 10 or 20. This over-installation has led to hundreds of thousands of LED lights being placed on farms in regions like Brittany, Normandy, and the Loire Valley. This overkill undermines the energy-saving goals of the program. Additionally, the non-compliant lights caused problems for the animals, including stress and a sharp drop in productivity. Some farmers noticed their cows refusing to use milking robots, likely due to electromagnetic interference from improperly installed equipment. The LED lights, often connected to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, produced electromagnetic waves that may affect animal fertility. The light color, typically an extremely white 6,500 kelvins, is unsuitable for livestock, which is better suited to warmer tones like 2,700 kelvins for poultry and 4,000 kelvins for cattle. The flickering of these LEDs, often invisible to humans, can cause significant stress to animals with highly sensitive retinas. This has led to weight loss and severe economic losses for farmers. The fraud was possible due to a lack of oversight. The minimal safeguards outlined in the regulations were largely ignored by the fraudsters at every stage. For instance, a prior study by a certified lighting technician was required, but many of these were fabricated. Fraudsters also exaggerated the number of lights needed and bypassed professional electricians. Some even installed the lights without connecting them to the electrical system, increasing the risk of fires. The program was halted on February 25, 2026, after the government acknowledged "a number of concerning fraudulent practices." For Christophe Cormerois, who runs Prodeal, a company specializing in lighting replacements, the program was meant to be an opportunity. Instead, it led to the collapse of his business, as he could not compete with the zero-euro offers made by fraudsters. He had to lay off three employees, losing valuable expertise. The end of the program has only provided temporary relief, as the market is now flooded with used equipment. There is also a risk that farmers might have to repay the subsidies if the government cancels the fraudulent operations in the future.