Bouches-du-Rhône:

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The chamber of agriculture and SNCF Réseau have entered into a unique partnership. Railway embankments are made available to breeders for grazing herds.

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“Our breeders are constantly looking for new pastures », Announcement Sebastien Attias, head of the technical development department of the Chamber of Agriculture of Bouches-du-Rhône. In this context, the proposal of SNCF Network via its environment and sustainable development pole of entrusting breeders with the maintenance of the vicinity of the railroads is timely.

Free for a period of six years

The two organizations formalized their partnership on March 13, 2021 in Arles. Rémy Benson, who raises 500 purebred ewes merino and Rove goats in this municipality, is the first farmer to benefit from this system. The public operator has made 7,000 m² banks secured free of charge for a period of six years.

“These plots are adjacent to my land,” he explains. I therefore applied to exploit them. »Rémy Benson installed a batch of 70 animals on this land of the SNCF. “I gain fifteen days of additional pasture,” he continues. In our region marked by drought, It’s not nothing ! ”

500 ha of “abandoned”

“It’s a win-win partnership,” assures Sébastien Attias. The breeder has a source of food for his animals. For its part, the SNCF no longer has to clear the brush. »Other disposals will take place. “We are going to open two other sites, one in Tarascon, the other in Orgon, with larger areas, from 0 to 30 hectares,” says Sébastien Attias. They are aimed at sheep, goat and horse breeders.

In the Bouches-du-Rhône department, the “abandoned” belonging to the SNCF amount to around 500 hectares. “We give priority to breeders whose farms are located near these areas”, specifies the head of the chamber of agriculture. In this system, the consular organization’s mission is to find candidates.

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