Just Chris Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 We have a field adjacent to one boundary of our property, owned by a neighbour. All our boundaries are delineated by multi-strand barbed wire fences, about 1.5 metres high and are in good condition. The field is (I assume) leased out on an occasional basis to farmers or horse owners. Last year there were two or three horses there for short periods - the chap who owned them was very thoughtful, and ran an electric fence all around the field, and at a respectable distance from our boundary, into which we've planted various shrubs to augment the existing ones. He provided a water trailer for the horses, and he replenished the tank regularly.This summer, however, a different farmer has put 10 Limousin cattle in the field, with no electric fence. Consequently, the cattle have reached over our fence and annihilated all our shrubs (at a value of over a hundred Euros). We pointed this out to the farmer (whose farm is some distance away from the area), and ask that he put an electric fence alongside our boundary. He obligingly did this the following day (without offering to pay for the damage) and all was well for a short time. Now the b*ggers have broken through his electric fence and continued making a meal of the rest of our shrubs. We will collar him next time we see him - no idea how else to contact him.Another issue - he left a water tub for them - empty, and seems to expect us to keep it filled, and I'm having to top it up every day, and feel that it shouldn't really be our responsibilty. To be fair, we thought that only an initial fill was required, and he did indicate at the outset that he would pay for the water when he suggested that we could fill it, but hasn't so far and we're wondering if he ever will.Superficially, he seems an OK sort of bloke - we don't want to upset him, but if the worst comes to the worst, do we have any legal standing on either of these issues? Our French is still in its infancy, but I do seem to be able to communicate with the man reasonably well.Needless to say, the Lady of the House is livid about the shrubs...Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clair Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 http://www.pleinchamp.com/article/detail.aspx?id=32010&menu_id=9&page=1&local=false&pub_id=277 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Chris Posted June 16, 2008 Author Share Posted June 16, 2008 Thanks, Clair - with our limited translation skills I assume, then, that the owner of the cattle is responsible for their behaviour?Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert the InfoGipsy Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 For damage to your shrubs/hedges you also need to allow for the French rules on planting distances. I can't remember the accurate figures but it's something like a hedge less than 1m high needs to be 1 m from the boundary and a taller one needs 2m. I'm sure someone else will post the right distances.Also, is the fence actually on your boundary, as shown by the cadastral map and possibly by actual 'bornes' planted in the ground by a geometre? French boundary law is much more specific in many ways than UK practice, so it's worth making sure you comply with the rules before complaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Chris Posted June 16, 2008 Author Share Posted June 16, 2008 Thanks, Albert - the boundaries line up exactly with the red OGE blocks at all the corner angles of the property.As regards planting, there are already ancient bushes and shrubs along the boundary, we've merely "infilled" any gaps with new ones. They are all actually on the boundary line, but inside the fence.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony F Dordogne Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Chris, I've got a printy out with diagrams of the regulations about hedges, planting distances etc.If you send me a private message, I'll forward it to you. Sounds as tho your plants may be too close to the boundary line so you need to check that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 All farmers - indeed, all property owners - in France have to be insured against this sort of thing. So give the neighbour an estimate of costs of replacing your plants and ask him to claim against his insurance.If that doesn't have any effect, or you need the other issues resolved, then sortng out disputes is part of the maire's duties. So have a word with the maire of the commune or his secretary, or any local councillor. But beware, maires are not always impartial and he/she may be very matey with the field owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Chris Posted June 16, 2008 Author Share Posted June 16, 2008 It looks like the problem may have been sorted. The farmer appeared today, the problem was explained and he fixed the fence - all quite amicable and we had a beer. Not sure if he's going to contribute (to the damage, not the beer...), but he is moving the cows to another field tomorrow. Thanks to those who offered advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 We had a similar problem last year with our adjacent field. It's owned by three (adult) siblings who don't get on (the typical french land ownership arrangements!) They let the field out to a farmer for his sheep in the past and we have had no problem but then last summer the sheep disappeared and the goats arrived. The goats were over the fence every few minutes and into our garden, munching at our roses, wisteria and anything else they could get at. They were also getting onto the road and there were one or two near misses with passing cars. We (my sister and I) tried in vain to keep them out of the garden. In hindsight it was probably quite a funny spectacle with us trying to chase them out of the garden, scare them out by banging a metal colander with a spoon and getting more and more frustrated as each attempt failed. Spectacle was probably even funnier as I was wearing a leg brace at the time - having done a serious number on my knee - and so my walking had a distinct 'Max Boyce' air. In the end, after several failed attempts at securing the fence (which lasted just about long enough for us to see the exhaust plumes of the owners car disappearing in the distance as the goats broke through again) we just asked the owner to move the goats - which he did...and then shared an apero afterwards. We never got any compensation for the roses and wisteria but they seem to have survived the experience! One of the joys of rural France I guess! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panda Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 HelloDoes anyone know if there are any laws regarding crop spraying near to a house? The field behind my house has not been planted until this year and I happened to go out into the garden and noticed the farmer spraying the new crop a few weeks back, my son was in the garden playing (had been most of the morning) and so I called him in, I noticed the farmer stop the spraying whilst I passed him with my son and returned to the house he then continued. It is probably a coincidence but since that day my son has had various health issues, he is now under a ear nose and throat specialist, he had had a very bad chest infection, followed by a bad ear infection in both ears and now his sinuses are completely blocked, he has also had a few strange memory issues.So I know it probably isn't related but seeing the farmer stop and the fact he was wearing a serious mask made me wonder, where do I stand, the field is no more than 20 metres from the house and the boundary is with my garden? I am actually really worried about my son and have been to casualty with him twice now as he has virtually passed out, gone dizzy etc..Panda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybananasbrother Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 You are absolutely right to be worried Panda, this sounds serious. There are limits that have to be observed and obviously the farmer doesnt care a fleas flight about it. Get to the Mairie and the gendarme if you can and make a fuss, a hell of a fuss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panda Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Hello WoolyBut where do I stand legally, the field was there before I was, is there any law to cover this? I'm worrying now about Lymes disease after Christine post too, he has some of those sypmtoms and the docs ask me each time about a rash so they must be thinking that too, he has had antibiotics though so really not sure. At the hospital agian tommrow, hope that reveals something.Anyone know on the crop spraying front?Panda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suein56 Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 [quote user="Panda"]Anyone know on the crop spraying front?[/quote]My info is out of date and relates to the UK but we as used to live in Lincolnshire we were used to spray being used on crops near to us. There are rules about what can be used, when and where ie how close to habited dwellings. I would take the advice offered previously and start with the Mairie.Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panda Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Thanks, yes the mairie would be a start although the farmer is a councillor and a throughly nice bloke normally, I wanted to be sure of my facts not sound like another wingeing Brit. I will do some research before I go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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