Land coveted by the Rabaska project, then Lévis and the Port of Quebec and now the Minister of the Economy. The Union of Agricultural Producers (UPA) may want all land to be returned to agricultural use, but it says it is ready to negotiate with the government.
A 2007 agreement between the UPA and Rabaska provides in black and white that the company must take steps with Quebec to “reinclude in the agricultural zone the lots totaling an approximate surface area of 271.7 hectares”, in the event of non-completion. of the project. When the government has acquired this land, as it has already confirmed, this obligation will be transferred to it, it is also provided for in the contract.
“I’m afraid of losing everything, so I prefer to be open to a compromise,” says Duty the president of the Chaudière-Appalaches UPA Federation. It is not a question of being conciliatory, but because it is currently impossible to enforce the agreement, says James Allen in substance. “We are obliged to request an injunction [à la Cour supérieure]because we have no collaboration from Rabaska to go further,” he relates.
In a press release dated September 16, the union asked the government to “minimally” protect the land already under cultivation and the maple trees on the site. These areas correspond to approximately 120 hectares “to be put under a glass cover”, reiterates Mr. Allen in an interview.
It is therefore not a question of fully respecting the contract entered into, as demanded by two agricultural producers in The duty Monday, but to “find a landing strip for everyone”, illustrates the regional president. “I don’t dream in colors of succeeding in having all 272 hectares,” he admits.
However, the government’s invitation to discuss is still pending, he continues. It also raises “a certain complexity” when Quebec confirms the buyout transaction in Rabaska. According to the words of the UPA memorandum of understanding, the government undertakes to carry out “an approach to the Government of Quebec aimed at the adoption of a decree”. “The final decision will always rest with the government of Quebec,” rephrases James Allen.
He also insists that agricultural land must be preserved at all costs, while Quebec is in full consultation to reopen the law on the subject. Mr. Allen says he particularly fears that places with poorer quality soils are not as well protected: “Sometimes there are soils classified 5 or 6 which are excellent pastures for animals for slaughter or even classified 7 with excellent maple groves,” he notes. Cohabitation with industrial projects is often to the detriment of agricultural uses according to him, while only 2% of land is cultivable in Quebec. “We’re going to make Gruyere cheese,” he fears.
Further details will follow.