World Water Day: Marc Fesneau, Minister of Agriculture, visiting the Causse Méjean

Marc Fesneau came to appreciate the water resources in Lozère, on the occasion of World Day. FREE MIDI – Michel Pieyre

Marc Fesneau, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, was visiting Lozère on Friday March 22, 2024, on the occasion of World Water Day. The Gorges Causses Cévennes community of communes was chosen for its management of water resources.

Marc Fesneau, Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, visited the Causse Méjean on Friday March 22, 2024, on the occasion of World Water Day. On the program, a visit to the Michel family's sheep and pig farm in Montbrun (600 sheep for meat, lambs and 40 pigs for processing) and a meeting with the actors of the Causse Méjean territory in Hyelzas, at the Fédou farm. With, in the background, the presentation of the rainwater recovery projects envisaged by the Gorges Causses Cévennes community of communes and the Adour-Garonne Water Agency.

A saving of 600 m3 of water per year

In a cloud of dust, the ministerial convoy arrived at Gaec Mativet early in the morning, welcomed by Jean-Luc Michel, the operator of the place and deputy mayor. of the commune of Montbrun. A visit from the Minister of Agriculture focused on water, and in this matter, the Michel family is innovative: "We have created a reserve of water. rsquo;water of 60 m3, alone, without help, because we knew it was going to get stuck. It's a small volume but we save 600m3 of water per year."The rain, collected from the roofs, is filtered in a sandbox before ending up in a buried reserve. Precious water to feed the sheepfold. It was with interest that Marc Fesneau visited the installations, the rainwater recovery system with, outside, the reserve, almost invisible, at the foot of the green pasture. "We would need 100 m3 additional to feed the herd properly, commented Jean-Luc Michel.< /p>

The sensitive meadows invite themselves

Moment chosen by the operator to explain to the minister, mapping in hand, the problem of sensitive meadows, 370 hectares out of the 480 hectares of the operation: "Across the street, we have flocks of sheep with patous (Pyrenees mountain dogs, Editor's note), on sensitive meadows. We no longer have the right to return them. How do we do it ? Another aberration, alongside, meadows which only last five years ( called temporary meadows which become permanent or sensitive if they are not plowed, Editor's note) , with alfalfa which can store carbon. Plowing means additional costs, all of which is anti-ecological. Here we have very long periods of drought, we have to feed the herds." "Plowing should be increased to eight years", suggested the operator. "J&rsquo I have the impression that it’s the same herb, retorted the minister. It must be able to defend itself."

Another farmer recalling the cost of penalties for sensitive meadows on his Gaec, "- 17 000 € on the CAP". Others wishing"being able to manage sensitive meadows", particularly young farmers. The discussion ended around Natura 2000 zones: "If it's to do zoning and impose constraints, it doesn't work, commented Marc Fesneau. We must simplify, take reality into account, be able to reconstruct the meadow. And help young farmers so that they can regain autonomy and diversify."

Adapting to climate change

The ministerial convoy then headed towards Hyelzas, at the Fédou farm, for a presentation of the memorandum of understanding signed on January 31 between the Agency of water Adour-Garonne, the State, the Department, the Chamber of Agriculture, Copage and the community of communes Gorges Causses Cévennes, to install rainwater tanks on farms of the Causse Méjean. The first phase of work should equip eight farms with tanks. A presentation made by Sophie Pantel, president of the Department, and Henri Couderc, president of the local intercommunal body, in the presence of Christine Valentin, the president of the Chamber of Agriculture de Lozère, and Guillaume Choisy, general director of the Adour-Garonne Water Agency. Under the leadership of Philippe Castanet, prefect of Lozère. With the final words for the minister: "The water cycle is changing, the rules must change, he said . Everything suits me, if the projects are in line with the territory. If we do not know how to store water, we will not adapt to climate change."

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