France Nature Environnement, an association for the protection of biodiversity, has taken legal action with a direct summons, because it holds EDF and its Renewable Energies sector responsible for the death of several hundred lesser kestrels on the Aumelas causse.
In question, seven wind farms operated by EDF
Between 2017 and 2021, there are in fact more than 300 birds found dead at the foot of these wind turbines. Because EDF would not have taken all the necessary precautions to avoid this real massacre.
In these requisitions, the prosecution struck rather hard by demanding 750,000 euros fine (including 500,000 suspended) as well as a cessation of activity for each of the operating companies working for EDF. The prosecutor also requested six months suspended sentence and a fine of 150,000 euros (including 100,000 suspended) for the CEO of EDF Renewable, Bruno Bensasson, absent at the hearing, but represented by his lawyer.
Aurélien Besnard, bio-statistician at the CNRS and specialist in the impact of human activities on the animal world, was called as a witness by the FNE association in this trial. And so it is came to witness the damage made by wind turbines on lesser kestrels.
“For the Aumelas park, we have fairly precise figures on mortality” explains the scientist on the stand. “The calculations we made show that the population of lesser kestrels would be twice as large today if it were not for the wind turbines.”
Simon Popy, president of FNE OcMed (Occitanie Méditerranée) followed the debates, without intervening but with great attention. This trial is a first in France and, according to him, it must now serve as a warning.
“We have been fighting for more than ten years to enforce the environmental code on this Aumelas plateau. We are waiting for EDF to understand that from now on, it must respect it!”
The judgment will be rendered on March 17, 2025.
