The prefect of Lozère came to the stable to talk about the progress of farmers' demands

The prefect around fifty Lozère farmers. FREE MIDI – MICHEL PIEYRE

Philippe Castanet responded favorably, Monday February 19, 2024, to the invitation of the agricultural unions FDSEA 48 and JA 48, by going to Gaec Privat, on the heights of Mende. The opportunity to provide feedback regarding the local demands of farmers.  

After the angry movements of farmers, which began last month, Philippe Castanet, prefect of Lozère,   responded to the invitation of the Departmental Federation of Farmers' Unions (FDSEA 48) and the Young Farmers of Lozère (JA 48), by going to on the Gaec Privat in Mende, to report on the first feedback following the demands made.

It was in the middle of the Limousin cow barn that the State representative detailed them, amid the mooing of the ruminants. As a preamble, Hervé Boudon, president of JA 48, warned: "We are five days before the opening of the Agricultural Show in Paris (…), five days to give us answers." "You'll tar and feather me if you want, but at least you won't leave not from here thinking that I gave a tongue-in-cheek speech, replied Philippe Castanet. About ten of local subjects was mentioned (out of 75 demands, Editor's note). Excerpts.

Sensitive grasslands

The prefect recalled: "I had written three times to the Minister of Agriculture in 2023 to alert him , that it was necessary to review the system, which was too impactful for farmers. I spoke about it again with Marc Fesneau (Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty) ten days ago. We are two departments to raise the claim, Lozère (89,000 hectares) with Cantal (20,000 hectares). You no longer want BCAE9 (non-ploughing of sensitive meadows in Natura 2000 zone, Editor's note), I I understood it." Philippe Castanet put forward hypotheses such as exchanging plots, a minimum right to plowing, or even being able to rework plots which have been infested with rats moles. He was to discuss these subjects later in the evening with the regional prefect.  

Wolf predation

"There is a national wolf group tomorrow (Tuesday February 20, 2024). There will be at least one measure, I dare to hope, with a strong impact, which will leave an impression. The wolf, there are 50 departments concerned. One of the demands, totally administrative but which I strongly support, is that the department be classified in circle 1. We must stop the subtle municipal divisions based on the number of attacks." Recalling that its duty is to be alongside breeders who want to protect themselves "and that they have the aid". 

The installation of new farms

Supported loans have been developed. "It's unfortunately a national subject but we need quality facilities and not people who establish themselves without being able to invest properly",< /em> noted the prefect. Locally, there was a demand for the abandonment of sustainable agriculture contracts “which add constraints to young farmers. We discuss it very clearly, the unions clarified.