Livestock farming systems and society : Identification and analysis of key controversies from the perspective of different stakeholders

Over the last century, livestock breeding in France has experienced significant changes. The impacts on the natural and human environment, and the growing sensitivity of the population to animals’ living conditions have led to increasingly radical criticism of certain farming practices, from different segments of French society (NGOs, citizens, politicians, media...). Such challenges concern livestock husbandry in its operation, organisation and even in its basic principles. The aim of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the diversity and strength/magnitude of society’s expectations towards livestock farming systems as well as an understanding of their foundations/origins based on many studies and PhD research in sociology conducted from 2014 to 2018. With the aim of identifying the subjects of controversy involving breeding in France, all animal production systems being considered, and to describe the diversity of actors and arguments, fifty interviews were conducted with the various stakeholders: professionals, employees of NGOs, journalists and citizens. Analysis of these interviews led to a classification of elements of debate on French livestock farming into four major areas of impact: the environment, animal welfare, risks to human health and the socioeconomic model of livestock farming. The paper also reflects expectations for different types of system: some people want a gradual disappearance of intensive farming systems for the benefit of production systems under official quality sign/labels or implementing alternative practices; others want the development of intensive farming to produce more and become more competitive; and between them many want a gradual improvement in the intensive system, with stronger environmental and animal welfare requirements.