gigantic water reservoirs in the middle of the fields are controversial

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France 3

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F. Nicotra, France 3 Poitou-Charentes, C. Krauskopff – France 3

France Televisions

Faced with the drought that is hitting France, the battle for water begins. One of the solutions would be the construction of basins. But this technique is at the heart of a conflict that has been going on for years in Charente-Maritime.

It is a gigantic reservoir of water in the middle of the fields. An agricultural basin makes it possible in summer to compensate for the lack of water and to irrigate. Thanks to this system, a Vendée farmer no longer fears drought. To fill these basins, here 240,000 tonnes of water, farmers pump water from rivers or groundwater in winter. What provoke the anger of the defenders of the environment.

Demonstrations have followed one another for months, to denounce the plundering of water for the benefit of intensive agriculture. “Water is important, it’s important that it’s free and that everyone has access to it”, said a protester. Five of these basins already built in Charente-Maritime have just been banned by the courts. A market gardener in the middle of planting his vegetables could go out of business. The collective of farmers is considering an appeal before the Council of State.


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