The social construction of alternatives to pesticide use: A study of biocontrol in Burgundian viticulture

Abstract

This article seeks to examine the social construction of ‘biocontrol’ as a credible alternative to conventional pesticide use in viticulture production in Burgundy, France. Basing our analysis on a series of interviews with representatives of the key groups involved in the crop protection sector in France, we describe a dynamic that has emerged with respect to the development and justification of biocontrol products as a crop protection strategy. The key players within this dynamic are the State, the agricultural chemical companies, and the input distributors and crop advisors. The State has introduced positive incentives to encourage companies to develop new biocontrol products and negative incentives to compel agricultural input dealers and crop advisors to promote those products. The agricultural chemical companies are introducing new biocontrol materials based on the notion that these products can eventually replace more dangerous pesticides. The input dealers and crop advisors, finally, are compelled by the State to recommend alternatives to conventional pesticides, but generally believe the new biocontrol products are ineffective and so do little to promote their use. When they do, they typically recommend older products that have been recently reclassified as biocontrol materials.

Plant growers' environmental consciousness may not be enough to mitigate pollinator declines: a questionnaire‐based case study in Hungary

“…However, the accessibility of this information varies from country to country, 63 and so increasing the ease with which stakeholders can access this information is key in the transition process. Moreover, pressure from the agricultural chemical lobby and distrust of alternative plant protection measures among agricultural advisers can strengthen market resistance, 64 which can slow down the dissemination of ecologically friendly practices.…”

Plant growers’ environmental consciousness may not be enough to mitigate pollinator declines: a questionnaire-based case study in Hungary

“…However, the accessibility of this information varies from country to country (Wyckhuys et al 2019), and so increasing the ease with which stakeholders can access this information is key in the transition process. Moreover, pressure from the agricultural chemical lobby and the distrust among agricultural advisers of alternative plant protection measures can strengthen market resistance (Villemaine et al 2021), which can slow down the dissemination of ecologically friendly practices.…”

Pesticide-free agriculture as a new paradigm for research

“…Disruptive and innovative research axes are more likely to emerge within interdisciplinary work because different knowledge bases should be combined, shared, and renewed (Le Masson et al 2016;Vourc'h et al 2018;Brun et al 2021). In particular, it is essential to involve social sciences to study socio-economic obstacles that could hinder implementation of innovations, as well as social organizations that could enhance development of disruptive innovations (Villemaine et al 2021). Overall, complex issues, such as the elimination of pesticides, require deep innovations based on new knowledge but also on dedicated policies and an overhaul of value chains.…”