Siam Spencer 11:19 a.m., March 11, 2022

A 33-year-old farmer was ordered to pay 100,000 euros in damages to neighbors who complained about the noise and smell of his cows.

A conviction on appeal after 10 years of legal battle between these inhabitants of Saint-Aubin-en-Bray, in the Oise.

The trial was closely followed by the agricultural world.

REPORT

In Saint-Aubin-en-Braye, in Oise, the owner of an agricultural farm was ordered by the Amiens Court of Appeal to pay €100,000 in damages to nine residents.

The latter sued him for acts of olfactory and noise pollution related to his operation. 

"Your building is great, but not behind my house"

"Here is the neighbours' pet peeve", presents the farmer.

"The black beast is a hangar, just a few dozen meters from the first dwellings. Under this building, 260 cows and calves are a problem for local residents because of noise and odors." I have a sentence that had marked.

A neighbor on the opposing side told me 'But your building is great, but not behind my house'", he confides. 

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Divided opinions

The neighbours, who did not wish to comment on the subject, are embarrassed on a daily basis by the proximity to the animals.

They first sued the town hall, then finally the farmer.

Verdict: 100,000 euros in damages for Vincent Verchure.

In this small village, opinions are divided, like that of this retiree, who cultivates his garden a few meters away: "It's true that in summer, there is a bit of a smell, a bit of flies. , we hear the cows. But on the other hand, we are in the countryside."

But before demolishing the building, the Court of Appeal left three months to find solutions that could mitigate the nuisance.