“We don’t want it”: these inhabitants of La Manche are fighting against a giant greenhouse project

In the images from the TF1 news visible at the top of this article, a building lights up the night in Isigny-le-Buat (Manche). But it's not a nightclub. “Across the road, there are the tomato greenhouses of Mont-Saint-Michel”shows us Christophe Poulain, breeder and member of the collective “Stop industrial tomatoes in Isigny-le-Buat”. A Dutch firm wants to transform its already immense mega-greenhouse (new window) into the largest tomato factory in Europe. It would increase from 12 to 32 hectares, or 45 football fields. An establishment that is shaking up an entire sector. “For young farmers who want to continue a little in traditional agriculture, they may ask themselves big questions, even if only in relation to the acquisition or exploitation of land”continues Christophe Poulain.

The town hall rejects the project as it stands

But it is not the increase in the sale price of plots that worries the State with this extension project. “The conditions for issuing an exemption from the protection of protected species are not met. And all of the impacts on water resources are insufficiently assessed”estimates the prefect of Manche.

In the village, the gas-heated greenhouse and its thousands of electric bulbs divide. “We are a small town. Having tomato greenhouses, I think it brings jobs”confides a woman. Another continues: “For now, frankly, we have enough tomatoes already.” A man is also critical: “Tomatoes are from May to September.”

The town hall also does not want the project as it stands. “The file that was submitted did not correspond to what we expected. They did not take into account the social aspect, for example, particularly regarding employee accommodation”details Frédéric Laheurte, first deputy mayor, in charge of Regional Planning and the Environment.

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In terms of visual nuisance, the group has installed blackout blinds since its arrival four years ago. But in the early morning, it sometimes feels like the Aurora Borealis. “All it takes is that there are clouds, if the blackout curtains at ceiling level are open, that’s what we have in terms of the view, in terms of the sky”shows us, supporting photo, Odile Marqué, spokesperson for the collective “Stop industrial tomatoes in Isigny-le-Buat”. And to summarize: “We don’t want greenhouses.”

When contacted, the company did not wish to comment. A new environmental authorization file could soon emerge.