But the “Mare Agricole” project is well finished for Natagora. Walloon support is not renewed. The decision made at the end of April came into force on August 1. Within the association, it is always difficult to digest: “It was not expensive and we had good results”consider the project manager, Luca Fagan.
1. So, is it over?
The Minister of Agriculture Anne-Catherine Dalcq points out a “duplicate” to justify the end of funding. Natagriwal is already taking care of developing ponds. No need to subsidize two structures to do the same job.
Natagriwal does a lot of great things, but they will not have time to take care of the creation of hundreds of ponds.
“There is no duplicatereacts Luca Fagan. We are complementary. Our project was born, in consultation with Natagriwal and the SPW, precisely because the projects trapped. It requires a lot of administrative procedures, time, contacts with the municipalities, the DNF, the farmers. Natagriwal does a lot of great things, but they will not have time to take care of the creation of hundreds of ponds. That’s why we came in reinforcement at the time. And the figures (Editor’s note: the 400 ponds already created) Talk about themselves: the dynamics had taken really well. It no longer trampled“He says.
So the region does not stop funding the creation of mares, since Natagriwal keeps hands. But she no longer supports Natagora on this one. To see if the projects will follow.
2. Why ponds?
For very specific biodiversity linked to stagnant water. “”The water heats faster in a pond. There are therefore species that do not live in rivers“. This is where dragonflies, frogs or newts can reproduce, for example.
It is also a good way to enhance wetlands, difficult to cultivate or graze. Depending on the nature of the terrain, the ponds also drain the surroundings, while facilitating the penetration of water to the water tables in the event of heavy rain.
3. Where have they gone?
In Wallonia, depending on the region, up to 80 % of historic ponds have disappeared. The intensification of agriculture has partly destroyed everything that constitutes the ecological network: hedges, dry stone walls, ponds, etc.
And then, tells Luc Fagan, the uses were simply lost. We washed his laundry in these ponds; We don’t do it anymore (no one will complain). The breeders made their cattle drink there; Today animals drink in bins filled with distribution water. We were fishing there. The ponds were also born from an extractive activity: pits were dug to extract the silt or the clay, for the walls of the houses. “”When we cultivated hemp, we also let the plants rot to better harvest the fibers “adds the project manager “Mares”.
“These are practices that no longer exist, that’s“The majority of ponds disappeared in a few decades.
And when the frogs arrive (and they arrive quickly!), Even if they did not care at the start, the farmers are happy when they are there.
4. Why do you absolutely need public funding?
“Because it is a significant incentive for farmers“Answers Luca Fagan. He explains.”Many accept it because it won’t cost them anything. They are not all sensitive to biodiversity. But it’s a great opportunity to make them aware. It is an open door to nature. For a little over a year, we speak with them. We support them throughout the project for permits, studies, etc. This is something they appreciate. “
“And when the frogs arrive (and they arrive quickly!), Even if they did not care at the start, they are happy when they are there. “, He smiles.
“We will manage until fall …”
In the case of Natagora, Walloon funding just covered a salary and a half. To cover the cost of ponds, Natagora was going to seek subsidies on the side of the CAP (common agricultural policy).
“So we learned at the end of April that it would stop net 3 months later, when it takes more than a year to carry out a project from A to Z. Even with the money from the region, I could not follow all requests“, says Luca Fagan. And that’s why he has doubts not on the skills of Natagriwal, but on his ability to absorb this additional burden.
“We still managed in Natagora so that I can despite everything part -time certain sites in progress until the fall. The good period to dig without disturbing fauna is rather September and October.“
