Farmers from Lozère are once again attacking the OFB, described as a “green cartel”

“Green cartel”, “Leave us alone”, “OFB disarmed, safe”“Take care of the dealers”… This is what we could read in front of the premises of the OFBthe French Biodiversity Office, Thursday January 16, 2025, in the early morning, in Mende, in Lozere. Words signed by angry farmers. What happened?

The day before, Wednesday January 15, an OFB agent, member of the National Union of Environmental Personnel (SNAPE)-FO, reacted on the air of France Inter to comments made by Prime Minister François Bayrou.

Armed inspections in the sights

The latter attacked environmental standards and aligned himself with the position of several agricultural unions by considering that carrying out an inspection of a farm with a weapon was a “mistake”. However, let us remember, the OFB agents are environmental police officers authorized to carry weapons to enforce the protection of natural environments.

On France Inter, Benoît Pradal spoke of “humiliation”. Before releasing the sentence that ignited the powder…

“Today, we have the feeling that what the farmers want is to no longer see us on their farms. It's the same as if the dealers asked the police to no longer come to the cities.”

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As was to be expected, especially in the middle of an election period in the chambers of agriculture, agricultural unions immediately reacted strongly to these comments. Notably the Rural Coordination, classified very right-wing, but also the dominant unions (FDSEA and JA). The Peasant Confederation, classified on the left, did not get angry, which regularly defends the OFB.

An action in Mende

But beyond the speeches, some farmers have also taken action. Particularly in Lozère. Where members of the JA and the FDSEA expressed “their discontent” in front of the OFB building.

“The OFB gets up every day with the sole motivation of sanctioning farmers without dialogue and with contempt. We are the first actors in biodiversity, the OFB should support us every day,” say the two twin unions, asking, again, “the complete disarmament of the OFB”.

“We are asking again to let farmers work without controls or suspicion,” continued the two unions in a message published on social networks and accompanied by photos of their angry outburst. In addition to hanging banners, protesters also dumped manure.

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