During the meeting with the press, Laurent Carrié, the prefect of Gers, covered the Gers news. Three areas caught his attention: agriculture of course, the attractiveness of the territory and finally security.
Agriculture
A huge part of my time is devoted to agriculture and dealing with agricultural topics, he says. In this context of tension and worry, the priority is there. He welcomes the ongoing dialogue with professional agricultural organizations and representatives of the agricultural world, particularly the Chamber of Agriculture. “We see each other often, we inform each other constantly, telephone conversations, meetings. A lot of things have been done. I would like to highlight the remarkable work of the State services who have worked hard and intensely on subsidies, aid and compensation.” In figures: 140 million euros of CAP, or 5.0 million more, and 40 million euros of various compensation: viticulture, epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EMD), organic, avian influence. Another subject is the simplification project : the water center with 56 files processed, 24 authorized and already 8 signed, the single control, support for seasonal recruitment The prefect specifies that 93% of the PAC files or 61 million euros have been paid into the simplifications. cash flow measures with the exemption from property tax on unbuilt property, the deferral of property tax at the end of December, support measures for the bluetongue (BTV) sectors, avian flu, the exemption on cutlery plants. Another satisfaction is the opening of all slaughter lines next week at the Auch slaughterhouses. A big concern, however, concerns international and commercial negotiations.
Laurent Carrié recalls that regarding agricultural demonstrations or any other action, if we degrade, if we are violent, the response will be very firm.
vaccination
“The fight against avian flu is based on the triptych: surveillance, biosecurity, vaccination. I really call for collective responsibility. It's everyone's job, because by not respecting the rules, we put ourselves in danger , but we also endanger our neighbors, I really call for great respect for the rules. It is absolutely necessary to register to pre-order the vaccine so that when the doses arrive, we can vaccinate.
The attractiveness of the territory: overview
Auch airport and the Gers aeronautical sector have all the assets to be a welcoming place for these industrial sectors. The RN 124 which will come under the aegis of the department on January 1, 2025 will be completed as planned at the end of 2026. The renovated, restructured and enlarged Auch hospital will be delivered according to schedule in 2030. The permanent emergency department is of course also a priority. The establishment of doctors is facilitated by exemption from charges for 5 years. The Grand Garros project is also nearing completion: budget 70 million including 35 million from the state, 321 demolitions, more than 700 renovations, 161 exterior reconstructions. The housing side is full and the equipment program is exhaustive. A very great achievement according to the prefect who congratulates the city of Auch and the Grand Auch Cœur de Gascogne. He also welcomes the progress of the Astarac PNR (Regional Natural Park) project with the signing of the charter at the end of the year. He does not forget the LGV line and the Agen station which should boost the north of the department.
Safety
The Gers is a quiet and peaceful department (according to the prefect) but there are some concerns regarding road safety and the burglary aspect. Two more deaths than in 2023 and 765 license withdrawals are weighing down the road accounts. On the dashboard, speed, consumption of alcohol and drugs, and irresponsible behavior (telephone, etc.). Vigilance is required and more checks are required. Regarding burglaries, the situation is worrying in view of the figures: in the police zone = 118 burglaries compared to 48 last year at the same period (+ 145%), in the gendarmerie zone = 746 burglaries compared to 577 last year in the same period (+ 29%). Good news, the police station will receive an allocation of 8 police officers before March 2025. To complete his sweep, Laurent Carrié informs us that regarding secularism, anti-Semitism, the OQTF, there is little to report but vigilance is required.
