Europe 1 with AFP 9:25 p.m., August 10, 2022

The Vendée-Sèvres-Autizes (SMVSA) mixed union denounced on Wednesday the fact that two water reserves for agriculture were deliberately damaged, without loss of water.

These two reservations have been the subject of "malicious acts", accuses the mixed union in a press release announcing its desire to file a complaint.

Two water reserves for agriculture were damaged voluntarily, without loss of water, in Vendée in the night from Monday to Tuesday, denounced Wednesday the mixed union Vendée-Sèvres-Autizes (SMVSA), community owner of the installations.

These two reserves, located in the municipalities of Pouillé and Nalliers, south-east of La Roche-sur-Yon, have been the subject of "malicious acts", accuses the mixed syndicate in a press release announcing its desire to lodge a complaint.

Tarps surrounding restraints were cut

Questioned by AFP, the union clarified that there was "no loss of water" but that the tarpaulins surrounding the reservoirs "had been cut".

“The damage caused is currently being estimated but it is obvious that the unit of measurement will be the million euros”, continues the press release.

For their part, in a press release, the Ministers of Agriculture Marc Fesneau and Ecological Transition Christophe Béchu condemned "firmly these acts of vandalism".

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“Beyond the legal consequences which will be reserved, these degradations are unacceptable in a period of historic drought which affects the whole of the metropolitan territory”, underlined the ministers, denouncing “these irresponsible actions”.

The ministers also let it be known that, as of Tuesday evening, "surveillance has been reinforced around the other reserves in the sector".

The SMVSA calls for "the firmness of justice" in the face of acts which "are not signed".

Last May, five “basins”, similar water reservoirs which are the subject of numerous demonstrations in Charente-Maritime and Deux-Sèvres, were prohibited by the administrative justice on appeal in Bordeaux due to studies insufficient impact.