Human-animal relationships in farming: a cross-disciplinary perspective from ergonomics and applied ethology

Abstract

This article aims to establish a dialogue between ergonomics and applied ethology to comprehend and enhance human-animal relationships in livestock farming. These relationships depend on human-animal interactions as well as the stockbreeder's relationship with their work. Within their work, stockbreeders can develop real, so-called "relational" practices, aiming to nurture these human-animal relationships. These practices are shaped by both internal and external influences on the stockbreeders and their own farm. They must be analysed within the context of the stockbreeder's activity with their animals. This activity depends on the tasks to be completed, working conditions (spaces, work organization, tools, etc.), and the gap between prescribed work and actual performance in livestock farming. The article emphasizes the importance of the farmer's active engagement in transforming their practices with animals. The major challenge for this interdisciplinary reflection is to create organized frameworks for action to integrate diverse influences and foster a positive relationship with animals. The ambition to “shape human work and humans to serve the needs of animals” and to “shape animals and their living environment to serve human work” is central here. This must be done by reconsidering future farming models, and leverage particularly opportune periods in the evolution of the stockbreeder, their herd, and their farm.