“These degradations go beyond a red line”: the France Nature Environnement premises still targeted in Montauban

Associations outraged and in shock. The building at 1, chemin des Oules, near Port-Canal, offered a spectacle of desolation this Tuesday, November 19 in Montauban (Tarn-et-Garonne). A smashed entrance gate, tons of agricultural waste and tarpaulins soiling the surroundings and the facade: the damage is significant for this premises owned by the SNCF, which the company rents to associations, notably France Nature Environnement.

“This is the third time in less than a year that the association has been the victim of damage to its headquarters in Montauban,” notes the departmental federation of FNE in a press release, recalling the precedents of January 26 and 31.

“An isolated act which goes completely against the state of mind of this Monday’s demonstration,” regret the FDSEA and the JA.

For Gaëtan Deltour, the president of FNE 82, it is obvious: these are, as last January, excesses committed on the sidelines of the farmers' gathering organized Monday evening, November 18 in Montauban. Contacted by La Dépêche, the FDSEA and the JA 82 evoke “an isolated act which goes completely against the state of mind of this Monday’s demonstration”.

The president of FNE 82 received this Tuesday evening at the Ministry of Ecological Transition

Believing that these degradations “go beyond a red line”, Gaëtan Deltour, the president of FNE 82, accompanied by Bénédicte Hermelin, general director of FNE, obtained an appointment at the Ministry of Ecological Transition, from this Tuesday evening, November 19 in Paris. The two managers of France Nature Environnement wanted to “express their deep indignation and demand a strong reaction from the State and the justice system”.

The president of FNE 82 considers that “these degradations undermine the legitimate cause defended by farmers against Mercosur or the improvement of their living conditions. These attempts at intimidation are unacceptable and must be the subject of exemplary sanctions! We could be proud to have a department where environmental defenders and farmers could discuss and move forward together on numerous projects (agrivoltaism, water bodies, artificialization of agricultural land, etc. Today, an additional red line has been established). summer reached, under the impetus of agricultural unions seeking media coverage for the professional agricultural elections. FNE 82 remains mobilized for sustainable agriculture and will continue to loudly promote its values ​​for the preservation of the environment. “DNA of our association and the unfailing commitment of its volunteers.”

FNE 82 called in a bailiff to draw up a report of the damage and will file a complaint.
This damage will also impact the operation of other associations in Montauban, ça monter en bas and Swing'in, as well as a cat shelter whose structure was completely destroyed.

In a press release, the prefect of Tarn-et-Garonne Vincent Roberti “condemns these actions, resulting from isolated individuals having acted outside of organized gatherings”.