500 demonstrators against an extension of tomato greenhouses in the South Channel

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SATURDAY November 16, 2024 in Isigny-le-Buat, in the South Channel, the opponents to the tomato greenhouse project parade in the town before going in front of the greenhouse building.

As a reminder, thecompany wants to expand greenhouses by 20 hectares. The prefect has refused environmental authorization due to the insufficiency in terms of compensation measures.

“We don’t want it”

The Confédération paysanne organized the demonstration with the support of “Stop Tomates”, a collective which revealed this project to the general public. Aurélien Marion, from Confédération paysanne, symbolically wore the hat of CEO of Agrocare, the Dutch multinational which owns the Serres du Buat to present the project with derision. “The objective is to reach 1,000 ha of heated greenhouses. For this, we wanted to merge and acquire groups. »

A coffin, a reaper and a stretcher and crosses were brought for the occasion to denounce “the death of fresh vegetables”. In addition, we could read the signs “agrocarnage”, or even “agricultural, social, ecological scandal”.

Odile Marqué, who lives 150 meters from the site, was one of the first to alert people about this project.

“These are 7 meter high greenhouses. We are told that we are going to put an embankment 3 meters high. We don't need greenhouses and eating tomatoes all year round. We don't want it. »

“Deadly projects”

Nassima Sabir, market gardener in Guiberville, believes that this project puts small producers in competition. “They sell tomatoes at knockdown prices. We are experiencing a climate crisis. There is no question that Agrocare and the agro-industry will take charge of market gardening and obtain a monopoly on tomatoes. »

“We must remain vigilant because there will be a new authorization which will be filed. We have to stay mobilized. We are against these deadly projects. Concreting soils to produce food is out of the question. Our fight is legitimate and urgent to preserve our farmers, our soils and our know-how. »

Several elected officials also joined the movement, elected environmentalists, Miloud Mansour, the mayor of Carolles: “We are present for the well-being of citizens and nature by making coherent choices for our future. We must defend farmers and consumers. » Note the presence of Julie Ozenne, MP for Essonne, originally from the South Channel, the mayor of Grippon, Guillaume Hédouin elected to the region, and the European MP David Cormand.

The opponents went to the project site before heading towards the greenhouses themselves. The opponents were able to go to the front of the building. They stuck stickers against the tomato greenhouses and wrote “Down with agro-industry” on the greenhouse building. They then returned to the town for a festive and friendly moment.

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