The targeted farmer has headed this family business since 1980, which in 1994 became a joint agricultural group (GAEC). On Wednesday, shortly after these revelations, she was on his tractor. As usual. “We must continue to feed the animals. Especially since a few hours later he was supposed to answer questions from the state services and the gendarmerie. The Savencia food group allegedly decided to “suspend the farm’s dairy collection”.
Less than 200 animals
Jean-Paul Musset, weakened by health problems, has already lost all his forage production (he is supposed to feed livestock) in June due to hail. It was Sébastien, one of his sons, who came forward to denounce the “incriminating” images, taken at night to give a “gloomy look”. “Inevitably, in the middle of the night, animals have a hard time getting up. It’s like waking up at 2 in the morning while you’re sleeping. »
Someone might even be surprised by the state of the ground, which is muddy. “Every hour we have an automatic system that scrapes the soil with a blade. But if we shoot just before, it is sure that there is necessarily mud ”, says Sébastien Musset who recognizes the presence of some animals in poor condition. “Like us, they get sick. “And to ensure that this concerns three or four cattle out of just under 200. “While we say we have 300. This is false. Even our milk production is not 2.5 million liters, but 1.5 million. I don’t mind people thinking we don’t like our animals, that we’re bad breeders, but we’re not philanthropists. Our interest is that our cows live as long as possible, in the best possible conditions so that they produce as much milk as possible. »
“A difficult job”
Sébastien Musset says he understands the concern for animal welfare. “Me, every time an animal dies, it’s a tragedy. They are animals that are born with us and that we have been raising for several years. “Apart from the Libourne operation, these allegations affect an industry that is already in bad shape. In 2000, 300 dairy farms were listed in Gironde. Fifteen years later there were only 90. In the Paints sector we went from 17 farmers to 3 or 4 today.
The prefecture reacts
Prefect Fabienne Buccio asked for the on-site intervention of the veterinary services of the departmental directorate for the protection of populations. “This farm is not unfavorably known to the veterinary services. There have been no reports of animal abuse in the past five years. The farm, located in an enhanced prophylaxis zone (ZPR), is also subject to regular health monitoring. The checks carried out today did not reveal any acts of ill-treatment. On the other hand, the condition of 13 animals, out of the 464 declared by the operator, raises questions and requires veterinary expertise to determine the exact causes. This expert opinion, which will focus on examining each animal with a degraded general condition, is scheduled for Friday. With regard to the appraisals and visits that will be carried out, administrative measures will be taken to remedy any malfunctions that may be found in the functioning. »
This development is largely due to the milk price crisis which has forced many small companies out of business. Most of it is bought by the neighbour, anxious to survive in a tense environment. Since the last “big” crisis of 2016, the price of milk has risen again, but the costs are even more so. “As a farmer, it is a physical and moral burden and a difficult job. Cows require attention 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With the specter of L214 still hovering over farms, dairy companies are already even more suspicious. “They barricade themselves”, assures Sébastien Musset.
