The persistent drought is causing headaches for farmers in Belgium and France. Although it will be less warm on Friday, the temperature will rise again to 30 degrees this weekend. This, in combination with the irrigation bans, makes the situation dire, for both arable farming and livestock farming.
“We go from one extreme to the other. Last year the fields drowned, now they are drying out', reports the Flemish Info Center for Agriculture and Horticulture (VILT). The Flemish news website Focus-WTV even speaks of a water war among farmers, because one buffer basin after another will become empty.
Irrigation ban West Flanders
It is even so dry that for the first time in more than 20 years an irrigation ban has been imposed in West Flanders. This means that in the Polder Bethoostersche Broecken, Polder De Moeren, Polder Noordwateringen and the Zuidijzerpolder no surface water may be pumped up for irrigating crops for two weeks. The drought threatens an acute shortage of water. The water level is now 2 centimeters lower than normal.
Multiple crisis areas
The drought is also spreading in France. In 21 departments, the use of water is limited to washing cars, filling swimming pools and irrigating gardens. Even 7 of these departments are labeled as 'crisis areas', whereby the irrigation for agricultural purposes is also limited.
Exemption for vacant lots
Not only arable farmers talk about 'a minor disaster', the drought is also a problem for livestock farmers. The French Agricultural Organization Modef is sounding the alarm at the Minister of Agriculture. Due to the lack of precipitation, they expect a significant shortage of feed this winter. Not only does the grass grow poorly, but it also withers in many places.
Modef therefore argues for an exemption for farmers to be allowed to mow fallow plots. In this way they want to bring in extra feed. The organization urges the minister to make a decision quickly. The longer there is no precipitation, the worse the grass becomes.
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