L'adoption par les agriculteurs de pratiques agricoles favorables à l'environnement : identification des facteurs de blocage

Through which channels, and in what form, are environmentally advisable farming practices actually presented to farmers ? Which factors tend to facilitate, or to impede, the adoption of such pratices ? This paper presents the first findings of an evaluation study conducted following a « dual inquiry » method, interviews being held jointly by an agro-economist, and a psycho-sociologist. The first case study, in Côte-d'Or (a département in Burgundy), has shown that the local policy is very cautious, and almost exclusively based on a technical approach of environmentally advisable practices. The reactions of farmers to the topic show the signs of strong social pressure, especially on the problem of nitrate pollution.