Quality schemes and pastoralism in France

Strengthening and securing economic activity in rural areas figure among the objectives of French policy on the quality and origin of agricultural products. This is particular true for territories known for their harsh terrain. In mountainous Mediterranean hinterland regions, numerous quality scheme...

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Main Authors: Claire Aubron, Marceline Peglion, Marie-Odile Nozières, Jean-Pierre Boutonnet
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Institut de Géographie Alpine 2015-02-01
Series:Revue de Géographie Alpine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.openedition.org/rga/2450
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author Claire Aubron
Marceline Peglion
Marie-Odile Nozières
Jean-Pierre Boutonnet
author_facet Claire Aubron
Marceline Peglion
Marie-Odile Nozières
Jean-Pierre Boutonnet
author_sort Claire Aubron
collection DOAJ
description Strengthening and securing economic activity in rural areas figure among the objectives of French policy on the quality and origin of agricultural products. This is particular true for territories known for their harsh terrain. In mountainous Mediterranean hinterland regions, numerous quality schemes have been developed which rely in a more or less explicit manner on pastoralism. This article focuses on the relationship, made of synergies and paradoxes, between quality schemes and pastoralism in France. To do so, we build on an understanding of the dynamics and diversity of farms in 5 areas of the Mediterranean hinterland where 8 official quality labels are subject to certification. An analysis of the specifications of these quality schemes suggests that while they contribute to the recognition of pastoral livestock farming practices, they also tend to constrain them. To better respond to downstream demands, the schemes make choices regarding volumes and the seasonality of production that sometimes are inconsistent with pastoralism. Furthermore, while they undeniably contribute to territorial development, increases in the size and level of equipment of farms engaged in quality schemes are jeopardizing their genuinely pastoral character.
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spelling doaj-art-fef9083e22094974bfd8b5093f65918a2025-01-10T15:56:10ZengInstitut de Géographie AlpineRevue de Géographie Alpine0035-11211760-74262015-02-01102210.4000/rga.2450Quality schemes and pastoralism in FranceClaire AubronMarceline PeglionMarie-Odile NozièresJean-Pierre BoutonnetStrengthening and securing economic activity in rural areas figure among the objectives of French policy on the quality and origin of agricultural products. This is particular true for territories known for their harsh terrain. In mountainous Mediterranean hinterland regions, numerous quality schemes have been developed which rely in a more or less explicit manner on pastoralism. This article focuses on the relationship, made of synergies and paradoxes, between quality schemes and pastoralism in France. To do so, we build on an understanding of the dynamics and diversity of farms in 5 areas of the Mediterranean hinterland where 8 official quality labels are subject to certification. An analysis of the specifications of these quality schemes suggests that while they contribute to the recognition of pastoral livestock farming practices, they also tend to constrain them. To better respond to downstream demands, the schemes make choices regarding volumes and the seasonality of production that sometimes are inconsistent with pastoralism. Furthermore, while they undeniably contribute to territorial development, increases in the size and level of equipment of farms engaged in quality schemes are jeopardizing their genuinely pastoral character.https://journals.openedition.org/rga/2450quality schemepastoralismlivestock farming practicesfarm
spellingShingle Claire Aubron
Marceline Peglion
Marie-Odile Nozières
Jean-Pierre Boutonnet
Quality schemes and pastoralism in France
Revue de Géographie Alpine
quality scheme
pastoralism
livestock farming practices
farm
title Quality schemes and pastoralism in France
title_full Quality schemes and pastoralism in France
title_fullStr Quality schemes and pastoralism in France
title_full_unstemmed Quality schemes and pastoralism in France
title_short Quality schemes and pastoralism in France
title_sort quality schemes and pastoralism in france
topic quality scheme
pastoralism
livestock farming practices
farm
url https://journals.openedition.org/rga/2450
work_keys_str_mv AT claireaubron qualityschemesandpastoralisminfrance
AT marcelinepeglion qualityschemesandpastoralisminfrance
AT marieodilenozieres qualityschemesandpastoralisminfrance
AT jeanpierreboutonnet qualityschemesandpastoralisminfrance