Contribution of sociology to the study of the decrease of antimicrobial use on farms

Abstract

In order to decrease the use of antimicrobials on farms, various technical options target zootechnical solutions or alternative drugs. However, beyond these technical options, human and sociological factors determine the decision to prescribe and use antimicrobials. The paper focuses on these factors and provides an overview of research studies in the field of social sciences in France on the reduced use of antimicrobials in different animal species. Three major contributions emerged at different scales. The first one addresses the issue of the processes carried out by the farmers to change their practices for a decreased use of antimicrobials at the farm level: barriers and motivations of farmers, trajectories of change, as well as the context in which changes are performed and the tools used. The second contribution deals with the role of the social networks surrounding the farmers in this process: role of farm advisors and veterinarians and their relationships with farmers, as well as peer group activities to experiment new farming practices. The third contribution focuses on the understanding and design of collective modes of governance to reduce the use of antimicrobials: analysis of veterinary prescription practices and their ongoing developments, the role of farmers’ organizations and value chain actors for a concerted approach to reducing the use of antimicrobials, and the dynamic implemented with the EcoAntibio program. Various perspectives are presented for further developments in this field.