an agricultural model contested by the Peasant Confederation

The Peasant Confederation is opposed to the extension of tomato greenhouses d'Isigny, a project supported by private investors, but criticized for its economic and social impacts. This agricultural model, “where the production of electricity takes precedence over that of tomatoes”, raises questions about the future of local agriculture.

Tomato greenhouses at the heart of the agricultural debate

The project to extend the Isigny tomato greenhouses, covering an area of ​​20 hectares, was at the center of the concerns of the Confédération paysanne. Wednesday January 8, in front of the building, and in support of the Stop Industrial Tomatoes collective, the union once again expressed its rejection of the project within the framework of the Chamber of Agriculture elections.

The Chamber of Agriculture was consulted at the time, but did not object.

He criticizes the inaction of the FNSEA union: “The current majority union never makes a decision. »

An agricultural model oriented towards energy

The Isigny greenhouses mainly generate income through the production of electricity. Cogeneration, which uses excess heat from electricity to heat greenhouses, is, according to him, the main activity of the installations.

The main income of greenhouses is not the tomatoes, it is the production of electricity.

In 2024, these greenhouses will withdraw 11 million euros in dividends from the sale of electricity, sent to the Netherlands, country of origin of the Agrocare group, owner of the greenhouses.

Public aid

Cogeneration makes it possible to produce green energy while maintaining the temperature of greenhouses. The Normandy Region granted a zero-interest loan of 450,000 euros to support the installation, with a two-year grace period. “It’s absurd that the Region provides installation aid for projects like this,” declares the spokesperson. In addition to cogeneration, the installations have electricity purchase contracts. Aurélien Marion specifies: “Expanding the greenhouse also increases electricity income. »

Opaque practices

Another point raised is that of the staff employed in the greenhouses and the conditions of their accommodation. These are often foreign workers, housed and working in opaque conditions. “They live in a house where there are 17 people who we never see,” reports Gérard Chauvet, member of the Stop Tomates collective.

Opponents point to the lack of long-term vision for local agriculture. “It is time to return to more humane agricultural practices and less focused on industrialization at all costs,” concludes Aurélien Marion.

“If we don’t do it here, it will be elsewhere”

Before the interview in front of the building, the manager of the Isigny greenhouses, Jean-Marc Paimblanc, spoke for a few minutes with the opponents. He defends his model in the face of criticism. He specifies that “the plants come from France”, in response to accusations of importation, and insists: “If the greenhouses are not here (in France), the tomatoes will come from Spain. » Despite several meetings with the group of opponents, no compromise could be found regarding the extension project. “You can’t please everyone,” he adds.

Mr. Paimblanc highlights the high nutritional value of greenhouse tomatoes, refuting critics who consider this model unsustainable. For their part, opponents are concerned about the quality of the products and assert: “Stomachs will digest things that are no longer food. », Indicates Dominique, an activist.

Finally, he emphasizes that, whatever the location, production will follow a global system: “If we don't do it here, it will be elsewhere. »

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