More than 700 people gathered in Finistère on September 20 to protest a government proposal that would reclassify several communes from "vulnerable zones" to agricultural nitrates. The demonstrators were worried about the potential impact on water quality and the region's water supply. The Monts d'Arrée area, often called the "water tower of Finistère," is a crucial source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people in the region. The proposed change would remove the "vulnerable to nitrates" label from nine communes. This reclassification would allow farmers to spread more manure on their land—increasing the limit from 170 units per hectare to 240. This could lead to higher levels of nitrates in the water supply. When nitrates are consumed, they can convert to nitrites in the body, which can interfere with the blood's ability to carry oxygen, potentially causing health issues. The decision to reclassify the communes was confirmed by an official order issued on July 31. Local officials and environmental groups criticized the move, saying it was made without prior consultation or transparency. Many local leaders and environmental organizations had expressed strong opposition to the change, yet the decision proceeded despite their concerns. In response, Épaga, a local public agency responsible for managing the Aulne and Hyères water basins, has formally asked the regional prefect to reconsider the order. If the request is denied, the organization plans to challenge the decision in an administrative court. Several local mayors, including Jean-François Dumonteil of La Feuillée and Gaël Calvar of Port-Launay, have also voiced their concerns, emphasizing the need to protect the region's water resources. The protest included representatives from various groups, including the Confédération paysanne, Les Écologistes, the French Communist Party, La France insoumise, and the Union démocratique bretonne (UDB).