Recent floods in the West have severely impacted farmland, displacing livestock and damaging equipment. Farmers are facing extensive recovery efforts following the worst flooding in over 40 years, exacerbated by climate change. The destruction of hedgerows and wetlands has intensified the disaster, highlighting the need for better environmental practices. While government aid may help, only a fraction of crops are insured, prompting calls for renewed commitment to sustainable agriculture and improved land management strategies.
The recent floods in the West have left devastating impacts on the landscape, with vast areas of farmland submerged and livestock displaced. For many farmers, particularly those on the frontline of climate change, the repercussions will be felt for weeks to come. This situation underscores the critical role of hedgerows and wetlands in mitigating such disasters.
Sébastien Vétil, a representative from the agricultural union Confédération paysanne, highlights the extent of the damage: “We have farms where buildings are underwater, tools are ruined, and fodder has been lost.” He notes that the farming community has rallied together in solidarity, but the path to recovery will involve extensive cleaning and replacing equipment over the coming days and weeks.
The severe flooding, described as the worst in over 40 years, was triggered by three winter storms that dumped excessive rain on already saturated soil along the Vilaine and Seiche rivers in Ille-et-Vilaine. According to Météo-France, January has been recorded as the rainiest month in Rennes since 1945.
In Brittany, renowned as France’s top agricultural region, the floods have not only inundated urban areas but have also severely affected farms.
Emmanuel Foulon, a farmer located in Bruz near Rennes, faced a dire situation when the army had to rescue his heifers as his farm became inaccessible to tractors due to the rapid rise of floodwaters.
Cédric Henry, a farmer from Paimpont and president of the agricultural union FDSEA 35, expressed his concerns: “If the cereals remain submerged for several days, they will have to be discarded come spring, which will significantly impact our fodder supply.”
Jean-Paul Riault, a milk producer from Guipry-Messac, described the distressing sight of floodwaters rising “a few meters” from his home. He mentioned that certain areas of his farm are now too painful to inspect.
Initial reports from the Ille-et-Vilaine Chamber of Agriculture indicate that approximately 7,000 hectares have been impacted, covering around two-thirds of meadows and 20% of corn crops.
Pascale Gelin, deputy director of the Ille-et-Vilaine Chamber of Agriculture, stated, “We often hear that this level of flooding has never occurred before,” pointing out that the soil has remained saturated since December.
The Imperative of Environmental Respect
The government’s declaration of a natural disaster may provide some assistance for the agricultural buildings affected by flooding, yet Cédric Henry estimates that only about 10% of crops in Brittany are insured.
Sébastien Vétil emphasizes the urgency of adapting agricultural practices: “We have been sounding the alarm for years regarding climate disruption. It’s evident that changes are necessary, and this requires a renewed commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Christophe Cudennec, a hydrology professor at the Institut Agro Rennes-Angers, reminds us that the destruction of hedgerows and drainage of wetlands has been promoted since the end of World War II to intensify agricultural practices.
Gérard Gruau, a research director at CNRS, adds, “In many regions of Brittany, vast stretches of land lack vegetation. While they may not be as impermeable as a large supermarket parking lot, they are not far off.”
While initiatives are in place to encourage the replanting of hedges, Pascale Gelin notes that farmers need economic and technical incentives to engage in such practices, as it often requires more labor.
“There are discussions about parcel sizes that can facilitate better working conditions and the establishment of hedgerows,” she states, but emphasizes that reverting to the smaller parcels prior to land consolidation, which offered poor working conditions and yields, is not feasible.
Christophe Cudennec assesses that these environmental arrangements “will slow down and enhance water infiltration.” However, during extreme weather events, they can only do so much.
“It is unreasonable to expect agriculture to bear the brunt of compensating for the effects of urbanization in vulnerable areas where construction should not have occurred,” cautions the hydrologist.