The farmer who destroyed the habitat of a protected species in Orne sentenced

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And agricultural operator the Gouffern and Eye (Orne) was sentenced this Tuesday December 3, 2024 by the Argentan criminal court to effect a environmental training course. On November 12, 2024, he appeared for having altered or degraded the habitat of a non-domestic animal species.

Biodiversity officers noted that this operator had reduced by half a pond where two protected animal species lived, including the great crested newt. The judgment was reserved.

Habitat of a great crested newt destroyed by a farmer

These agents had observed in the commune of The coachwomannew commune of Gouffern en Auge, that a pond had been considerably reduced. Continuing their investigations, they will note that this pond shelters two species of protected newtsincluding the great crested newt, currently endangered. Their investigation will allow them to identify the operator of this plot who will explain that he wanted to be of service to a neighbor who had rubble and agreed to restore this pond before the end of winter.

Despite their reminders, the biodiversity officers will note that nothing has been done even though this operator had nevertheless accepted a classification under conditions, rehabilitate this pond and carry out an environmental training course.

I admit to having put soil in this pond, but I did not know that there was a protected species, I am not a biologist

The farmer found it absurd to find himself in court for this matter. For him, a simple reminder of the law would have been sufficient without adding a conviction.

The public prosecutor had requested a environmental training course to be carried out within a period of six months, “an internship which is not there to pat farmers on the back, but to create a dialogue with the participants”, he added, or €1,000 in the event of non-execution , in addition to the restoration of this pond within six months or a fine of €10 per day of delay.

The court will ultimately follow the requisitions of the public prosecutor, however, granting additional time to restore the pond.

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