Since the beginning of May, due to the hydrological situation, the prefect of the Vendée has issued several decrees to limit water withdrawals intended for crop irrigation. For ensure compliance with these rules, about fifty checks were carried out by the State services among professionals, in particular farmers. Five offenses were observed on farms in the Marais poitevin and in the north of the department. The court decided to prosecute the offenders. She also ordered entering the material used for these illegal samples.
Heavy fine
In court, the farmers caught risk a heavy fine and the confiscation of the pumping equipment. But the prefect can also pronounce administrative sanctions against offenders. He can for example reduce the volume of samples which will be allocated during the next irrigation campaigns.