La disqualification sociale des éleveurs intégrés

[paper in French]This study explored whether subcontracted breeders are socially disqualified in their profession by their own views or by those they believe to be expressed by the traditional breeders. The elements of social disqualification include social fragility (how they are perceived by the majority of conventional producers) and economic dependency on integrators who provide the selected animals, food and even therapeutics in some cases. While subcontracting breeding is largely regarded as a more economical means to produce livestock or poultry, this study hypothesized the subcontractors are socially disqualified on the grounds of having minimal professional autonomy or knowledge on the actual breeding or management of livestock. Comprehensive interviews were conducted with subcontracting breeders of calf, pig and poultry. We show that social disqualification of subcontractors is based on their feeling of over-dependence on the farm integrator and the integrators lack of recognition for their quality of work.