"Real estate crisis: SAFER representative expresses concern about Pay-Basque - France Bleu"

The day after the occupation of the farm Olya in Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle was lifted, the chairman of the technical committee of SAFER in the Basque Country accused officials of inaction, as the farm was sold for more than its market value. He is calling for a change in legislation.

The Ostia collective, Lurzeinidia, and the agricultural union ELB officially ended the occupation of the agricultural lands of the Olya farm in Saint-Pe-sur-Nivelle on Tuesday. The struggle for the prices of these lands will continue in court through a lawsuit aimed at prohibiting construction in this area, as well as in a political sense.

On the air of the France Bleu Pays Basque radio station, Jean-Claude Saint-Jean, the chairman of the SAFER technical committee in the Basque Country, is calling on officials to take action.

More powers for SAFER?

Indeed, according to the committee chair, there is still a chance to change the situation:"The estimated value of the farm in Saint-Pé is 700,000 euros, but it was sold for 1,300,000 euros (...) We cannot intervene, and this is where we encounter obstacles.".

According to Jean-Claude Sen-Jean, it is necessary to grant more powers to his organization, which currently does not have the ability to block the selling price. "It's not difficult; it just requires real political will (...) to change the regulatory framework and give us more authority."

In his opinion, if no action is taken, one can expect misuse.“I am very worried about the Basque Country because excess can lead to uncontrollable consequences.”.