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TechnoratiDrought hits French agriculture amid tourism boom
Farmers in France are worried about the lack of rainfall, as local authorities impose water restrictions in 17 parts of the country.
France has just experienced its hottest April since 1900, with average temperatures four degrees higher than normal for the time of year, while over the last 4 months, less than half the usual amount of rainfall for the period has fallen, according to the French meteorological office.
In Caen and Beauvais in the north of the country, only two millimetres of rain fell in April, compared to the usual 50 millimetres at this time of year. Elsewhere its the same story, apart from in the Mediterranean coastal areas.
Persistant anti-cyclones in the North Sea, around the British Isles and France, are preventing rain from falling on France.
On Friday, 17 counties in France imposed water restrictions, in a bid to limit the effects of the drought.
Its good news for the tourist industry, which is reporting a healthy increase in bookings for holiday accommodation, but farmers are worried.
Jean Michel Rambault raises cattle in western France, "I've never seen anything like it", he remarks, "If we don't get any rain in the next three weeks, it will become very difficult.
The pastures are parched in some parts, when they should be green at this time of year.
There's not enough grass for the animals to eat. We are having to give them hay".
And in Burgundy, cattle farmer Thierry Poirier explains that he won't be able to stock up food to feed his herds in the winter.
Stephane Reigner is a cereal farmer in the west of France, and says he expects a three fold drop in his harvest.
Comments (2)
Tourism impact
There is a double hit with increased tourists to France of course - the more people here, the more the natural resources will be stretched! Of course lots of people want to come and enjoy this fantastic country,but it will be increasingly important to seek out holiday accommodation that minimises its impact on the environment so that we can all keep travelling, exporing and enjoying it.
There are several hundred properties and campsites now in France that have been awarded credible eco-labels demonstrating their actions in reducing water/energy usage and managing waste disposal. Let's support these important steps taken by many, many independent owners (and some chains)!
Water shortage
This is of course very worrying and we should all help, even if we aren't farmer's. My wife and I have been very water conscious, especially since moving to France and having a water meter. Makes you think twice about the amount of water we use. And because of the recent lack of rainfall, we have taken to washing pot's once a day, flushing loo's when absolutely necessary, and we recycle all our washing up water by watering our veg and plant's with it...We also have shower's instead of bath's, and, although we probably 'wiff abit' we have even cut them down, and wash clothes once a week and make do for the rest of the time.....I'm sure many other's do the same and may even have better ideas for saving water. We must all do it for the sake of ourselves, each other and our pocket's cos after all, if the price of food goes sky high which it will if there is a shortage, then we, the consumer have to pay, and we are the first to scream and panic if there is a food shortage....so, let's do it folk, let's be more aware and stop taking water for granted, which we all do, including me.....
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