(Ecofin Agency) - Thies livestock producers, gathered in annual general meeting, discussed problems affecting their activity, in particular “land grabbing” which lead to a gradual reduction of grazing area. An issue that they blame on farmers and forest administration.

“In Thies, breeders have always raised land issues. They report a lot cases of land grab. There is no more grazing area in the region. That is the major problem. And every time there is a conflict between livestock producer and farmer, the first [ed.: the livestock producer] is always the one imposed a fine. They are curious to know why,” Ismaëla Sow, Chairman of Maison des Eleveurs de Thies told Le Soleil.

Responding to the accusation, the forest administration mentions the need to protect environment. “Under the forest code, grazing path is integrated to State forest domain. However, if water and forest service think that cattle route starts to negatively impact natural resources management, it may report the matter to the supervising ministry in order to adopt a decree prohibiting the use of this right,” explains Second Lieutenant Abdou Konia Diop, head of Monitoring and Evaluation Division and Head of Inventory and Mapping Office of the Regional Inspectorate for Water and Forests.

Breeders have however decided to submit a resolution to the Minister of Livestock.