Access To Land
In the 1970s, the farmers on the Larzac plateau, in Southern France, mobilised against the project to extend a military camp. Their action became a massive and widely publicised non-violent campaign to maintain local agriculture. It received strong local, national and international support.
After 10 years of struggle, the Larzac movement obtained a historical victory in 1981 with the abandon of the military extension project and the creation of Société Civile des Terres du Larzac (SCTL) or Larzac Community Land Trust. While the State remains the owner of the 6,300 ha of land that had been bought in prevision for the expansion of a military camp, it is managed by the SCTL under a renewable emhyteutic lease.
The 6300 ha include 882ha of arable land and 2218 ha of woods, which are rented to 55 farmers and about 15 residents. Farming, both organic and conventional, includes sheep, goat, cheese, aromatic plants, liquors, wheat and bread. Several cooperatives have been created to share equipment, processing, marketing. Many farms market their products directly on local markets, farm shops, and local shops.
The Larzac movement also offers cultural festivals and activities for supporters of the movements and visitors, as well as craft markets.
See also:
– Case study about the Larzac community land trust on aGter website
– Documentary movie: Tous au larzac (in French), by Christan Rouault, Arte production, 2010
