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Autonomy under contract: the case of traditional free-range poultry farmers

Author

Listed:
  • Cécile J.M. Adam

    (Université de Toulouse, INP, ENVT, UMR 1225, IHAP
    EPIA, INRA, VetAgro Sup
    INRA)

  • Christian P.M. Ducrot

    (EPIA, INRA, VetAgro Sup)

  • Mathilde C. Paul

    (Université de Toulouse, INP, ENVT, UMR 1225, IHAP)

  • Nicolas Fortané

    (INRA)

Abstract

This article explores the autonomy developed by free-range poultry farmers in their daily work. In this type of livestock production, farmers are linked by a contract to a farmer organization, to which they sell their broilers in exchange for a payment resembling a salary. The farmers do have autonomy in their work, which is framed by a set of prescriptions and rules. As they experience the same constraints, farmers involved in the same production mode develop a collective identity. Relationships of confidence progressively develop between the farmers and their technical staff (veterinary practitioners and production technicians). These good relationships strengthen the collective identity while also enabling the collective work between the three professionals. Veterinary practitioners and production technicians consecutively share some of the constraints and transfer part of their decision-making to the farmers. The latter thereby acquire more autonomy, even in fields apparently out of their reach. We illustrate the latter idea with the example of antimicrobial use. We observe that while strictly supervised by veterinary practitioners, farmers nevertheless manage to get involved in the decision underlying the prescription of antimicrobials.

Suggested Citation

  • Cécile J.M. Adam & Christian P.M. Ducrot & Mathilde C. Paul & Nicolas Fortané, 2017. "Autonomy under contract: the case of traditional free-range poultry farmers," Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, Springer, vol. 98(1), pages 55-74, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:roafes:v:98:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s41130-017-0044-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s41130-017-0044-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nicourt, Christian & Cabaret, Jacques, 2014. "La disqualification sociale des éleveurs intégrés," Revue d'Etudes en Agriculture et Environnement, Editions NecPlus, vol. 95(02), pages 227-253, June.
    2. Antonella Corsani, 2012. "Autonomie et hétéronomie dans les marges du salariat. Les journalistes pigistes et les intermittents du spectacle porteurs de projets," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) hal-00964483, HAL.
    3. Antonella Corsani, 2012. "Autonomie et hétéronomie dans les marges du salariat. Les journalistes pigistes et les intermittents du spectacle porteurs de projets," Post-Print hal-00964483, HAL.
    4. Pascale Magdelaine & Guillaume Coutelet & Sabine Duvaleix-Treguer, 2015. "La contractualisation dans le secteur aviculture chair," Post-Print hal-01123363, HAL.
    5. Christian Nicourt & Jacques Cabaret, 2014. "La disqualification sociale des éleveurs intégrés," Review of Agricultural and Environmental Studies - Revue d'Etudes en Agriculture et Environnement, INRA Department of Economics, vol. 95(2), pages 227-253.
    6. Nicourt, Christian & Cabaret, Jacques, 2014. "La disqualification sociale des éleveurs intégrés," Review of Agricultural and Environmental Studies - Revue d'Etudes en Agriculture et Environnement (RAEStud), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), vol. 95(2).
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    Cited by:

    1. Bonnaud, Laure & Fortané, Nicolas, 2021. "Being a vet: the veterinary profession in social science research," Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), vol. 102(1), April.
    2. Eulalie Ramat & Lucie Gouttenoire & Nathalie Girard, 2023. "How do farmers choose the professionals with whom they work to ensure herd health management? An approach based on the diversity of prescription systems in dairy cattle farming," Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, Springer, vol. 104(2), pages 217-242, June.
    3. Laure Bonnaud & Nicolas Fortané, 2021. "Being a vet: the veterinary profession in social science research," Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, Springer, vol. 102(2), pages 125-149, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Work; Autonomy; Livestock farming; Integration; Antimicrobials; Broiler;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q19 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Other
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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