Basque country: he loses 32 sheep in a flood, an online prize pool allows him to “start moving forward”

On the night of October 2 to 3, a month ago, this breeder from Lohitzun-Oyhercq lost 32 sheep in the flooding of his field. A disaster which more than endangered the economic activity of this peasantbut it was without counting on the generosity of people. Shortly after the tragedy was announcedan online prize pool has been launched to help Edouard Exilard. In a few days, more than 200 people participated and more than €11,000 out of €12,000 was raised.

Among the generous donors, there is Dominique, resident of Bellocq in Béarn. In 2021, she was living at that time in Ascain, when the Rhune was hit by a fireand she was the companion of a disaster-stricken breeder, hence her financial support. “At the time, when there was the fire on the Rhune. The prize pool set up was a great support to us. Solidarity came from almost everywhere, and it made me warm in the heart. This time I'm on the other side, it's up to me to help“, she says.

Great solidarity

This Sunday, November 3, faced with the influx of people, the parking lot at Edouard Exilard's farm is too small. In total, around 50 people came to participate in this day. “It's a tough job. It's a job in which there are hazards. We don't all have these difficulties. I was an employee, I'm retired, but I had a salary that fell every month It was easier for him, if he doesn't have production running, if he doesn't have clients who follow him. can find themselves in great difficulty participating in their economic activity, come today and play the game until the end. It's important for me to be a consumer and not just a consumer“, depicts Patxi, not a little proud of his neologism.

In a few days, the prize pool has almost reached its ceiling, enough to delight Edouard Exilard. ” Without the pot, I was going to lose the equivalent of an agricultural income. This solidarity allows me to move forward and be a little more financially comfortable. Because two weeks ago, three weeks ago, my morale was low. Lately, I have had a series of problems with my drowned sheep, my corn destroyed, and my generator which broke. In any case, this outpouring of solidarity warms my heart and forces me to continue on this path“ smiled the breeder.

Enough to also see the future in a better light for his son Mikel who will take over the farm later. “I am delighted with the way the prize pool has turned out, it allows us to put the dark side of agriculture into perspective“, explains the 16-year-old who can see a brighter future for his father's farm.

loading