Ressenyes

Index de les obres ressenyades: Bruno LATOUR, Politics of Nature. How to bring the sciences into democrac

Migraciones pastorales y relevo generacional en el Mediterráneo

[EN] Important changes that have reconfigured the rural world in recent decades include the abandonment of inner and remote territories, and the growth of the immigrant workforce. Pastoralism provides an intriguing perspective on these processes, as it embodies the contradictions of an agricultural practice increasingly appreciated but decreasingly practiced. This work questions the contribution immigrant shepherds are making to the generational renewal of pastoralism in the Euro-Mediterranean context. The results point that their relevance in terms of generational renewal are limited, and mostly context specific.[ES] Entre los cambios más importantes que están reconfigurando el mundo rural destacan el abandono en los territorios más remotos, así como el aumento de la mano de obra inmigrante. El pastoralismo proporciona una perspectiva estimulante en estos procesos, pues convive con la contradicción de ser una práctica agrícola cada vez más apreciada pero que cada vez se practica menos. El presente trabajo examina cuál es la contribución de los pastores inmigrantes al relevo generacional en el contexto Euro-Mediterráneo. Los resultados indican que su relevancia en términos de relevo generacional es limitada y, en su mayor parte, depende largamente del contexto específico.The authors are thankful to all interviewees as well as to two anonymous reviewers. This work was funded by the TRAMed project, EU Marie Curie contract ES706/2014.Nori, M.; López-I-Gelats, F. (2020). Pastoral migrations and generational renewal in the Mediterranean. Economía Agraria y Recursos Naturales - Agricultural and Resource Economics. 20(2):95-118. https://doi.org/10.7201/earn.2020.02.05OJS9511820

Les lluites per l'excel·lència rural

El món rural no és un refugi sociològicament aïllat i estancat; al contrari, es troba immers en un procés de remodelació constant, tant a nivell social com a nivell econòmic. Aquests canvis s'han manifestat intensament a les zones de muntanya, les quals són especialment sensibles, com l'estudiada en aquesta recerca, centrada a la comarca del Pallars Sobirà. La realitat social del procés de transformació d'aquestes zones es deu a diferents tendències locals que cerquen satisfer els seus propis interessos, sovint incompatibles entre ells.El mundo rural no es un refugio sociológicamente aislado y estancado; al contrario, se encuentra inmerso en un proceso de remodelación constante, tanto a nivel social como a nivel económico. Estos cambios se han manifestado intensamente en las zonas de montaña, las cuales son especialmente sensibles, como la estudiada en esta investigación, centrada en la comarca del Pallars Sobirà. La realidad social del proceso de transformación de estas zonas se debe a diferentes tendencias locales que buscan de satisfacer sus intereses propios, a menudo incompatibles entre ellos

Contributions of a feminist perspective to the analysis of farm viability: the livelihoods reproduction framework

[EN] The agrarian question dealing with peasants' reproduction in adverse global conditions is a topic of deep debate closely linked to farm viability. Approaches that define viability in monetary terms cannot explain peasants' way of farming. Holistic approaches can better analyse this question but existing frameworks leave aside aspects of reproduction. Here, we revise sustainable livelihoods and resilience frameworks through a feminist lens and propose livelihoods reproduction to address some blind spots. We do so through a literature review and a case study of olive oil farms in Spain. Our analysis highlights the importance of household labour distribution for farm viability.This work was supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion: [Grant Number CSO2016-78827-R]; the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades): [Grant Number PCI2018-093179]; and ARIMNet2 (ERA-NET no. 618127).Manuel, J.; Rivera-Ferre, MG.; López-I-Gelats, F. (2023). Contributions of a feminist perspective to the analysis of farm viability: the livelihoods reproduction framework. The Journal of Peasant Studies. 51(1):185-211. https://doi.org/10.1080/03066150.2023.221050018521151

Payment for Targeted Grazing: Integrating Local Shepherds into Wildfire Prevention

Wildfires are one of the most prominent risks for Mediterranean forests, reducing the flow of ecosystem services and representing a hazard for infrastructure and human lives. Several wildfire prevention programs in southern Europe are currently incorporating extensive livestock grazers in fire prevention activities to reduce the high costs of mechanical clearance. Among these the Andalusian network of grazed fuel breaks, the so-called RAPCA program, stands out for its dimension and stability over time. RAPCA currently works with 220 local shepherds who, with their guided flocks maintain low biomass levels in almost 6000 ha of fuel breaks in public forests to meet fire prevention standards. This work analyses the institutional design and performance of the RAPCA payment scheme under a payment for environmental services (PES) framework. Results show effectiveness of the payment scheme while efficiency is achieved through savings relative to the mainstream mechanized biomass removal, as well as through reduced information asymmetry. High-level and stable political commitment has been crucial for the emergence and consolidation of RAPCA. Moreover, key intermediaries and sound monitoring practices increased levels of trust amongst involved actors. Beneficial side-effects include social recognition of shepherds’ activities and reduction of their friction with forest managers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Sum of Incidentals or a Structural Problem? The True Nature of Food Waste in the Metropolitan Region of Barcelona

Addressing the generation of food waste is a major challenge nowadays. An increasing interest in studying food waste generation has emerged over the last decade. However, little attention has been devoted to understanding the root of the problem by carrying out a whole-supply-chain analysis and applying multidimensional approaches. The aim of this paper was to identify the causes of food waste in the metropolitan region of Barcelona along the food supply chain, considering the relevant stakeholders’ perceptions. Moreover, we examined the circumstantial or structural nature of the identified causes. We conducted a qualitative study consisting of 24 in-depth interviews of key stakeholders in the region along the food supply chain from October 2014 to January 2015. The interviews were analyzed by content analysis, and the main results are presented here. We used a conceptual framework that differentiates among micro, meso, and macro causes to disentangle the nature of the causes. The results from this study show the great interest of regional stakeholders in the issue of the generation of food waste and provide a complete map of the causes of food waste in the metropolitan region. From our study, we advocate that food waste is not only a sum of incidentals but it a structural problem.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Improving the communication between farmers and veterinarians to enhance the acceptability of bovine tuberculosis eradication programmes

Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UABFrance and Spain have been fighting against bovine tuberculosis (bTB) for years, even though new outbreaks continue to appear on both sides of the border, generating misconceptions about the disease and social distrust in the eradication programme and competent authorities. The perceived disease risk and the commitment of all interested parties are key factors for the successful implementation of control programmes, as they might influence the acceptability of recommended measures. Effective communication can contribute to increasing knowledge, trust and stakeholders' engagement, thus ensuring the acceptability of the eradication programme. This study was conducted in Catalonia (Spain) and Pyrenees-Atlantiques (France) in the frame of the INNOTUB project (https://innotub.eu/) to characterise the communication on bTB in the trans-Pyrenees region and provide recommendations to improve it. The communication on bTB was characterised by analysing 153 (Spain) and 66 (France) online freely available texts, publishedbetween 2018 and 2020, through Content Analysis and Critical Metaphor Analysis. Moreover, six farmers and four veterinarians were in-depth interviewed in each area to gather information about the communication on bTB. Interviews were made in original languages and analysed using a qualitative thematic approach. A pilot participatory intervention inspired by the Systematic Tool for Behavioural Assumption Validation and Exploration (STAVE) method was used to develop a list of proposals to improve communication and to promote the creation of territorial networks/committees on bTB prevention and control. It included three focus groups with farmers and veterinarians, a meeting with representatives of the regional veterinary services, and a final deliberative workshop. Results highlight the existence of a controversial debate on bTB and a heterogeneous understanding between stakeholders. Institutional and scientific communication mainly focus on bTB detection and control while other aspects are left in the background. On the contrary, farmers extend their communication to a greater variety of topics. The metaphorical framing strongly differed among actors, while veterinary services and researchers "fight" against bTB and "progress" toward the eradication, farmers place themselves in a framework of "sacrifice" and, particularly in Spain, they play a passive role. The proposals developed by the participants to improve the current communication on bTB included: (i) create participatory meeting spaces to share opinions and information; (ii) improve data accessibility (on epidemiological situations); (iii) develop clearer and written protocols and informative visual material; (iv) redesign the training courses (v) increase the stakeholders' participation in the design of protocols

Efecte del canvi climàtic sobre la ramaderia ecològica al Pirineu Occidental de Catalunya

Per tal d'arribar a la conclusió de si realment el Canvi climàtic és un factor limitant en el de venir de la Ramaderia ecològica al Pirineu Català, es proposen un seguit d'enquestes als afectats reals; els ramaders. La intenció és veure la percepció que se'n té i comparar-la amb la realitat de canvi climàtic, i més en zones d'alta muntanya: pujada de temperatures, disminució de la pluja i sequera, i desgel i tardança de les nevades. També el tema de l'erosió del sòl és de vital importància pel seu tractament. Cal desenvolupar una sèrie de millores per combatre els problemes de canvis climàtics, tot i que no són l'únic mal de cap del ramaders.Para llegar a la conclusión de si realmente el Cambio Climático es un factor limitante el prosperar de la Ganadería ecológica en el Pirineo Catalán, se proponen encuestas a los afectados reales; los ganaderos. La intención es ver la percepción que estos tienen y compararla con la realidad de cambio climático, y más, en zonas de alta montaña: subida de temperaturas, disminución de la lluvia y sequía, y deshielo y llegada tardía de las nieves. También el tema de la erosión del suelo es de vital importancia para su tratamiento. Hace falta desenvolver una serie de mejoras para combatir los problemas de cambio climático, aunque no son los únicos dolores de cabeza de los ganaderos.In order to arrive to the conclusion that if it's Climate change a really limiting factor on the future of ecologic livestock in the Catalan Pyrenees, it is proposed to do some surveys to the really affected people; the farmers. The intention is to see if the perception that they have is in according with the real Climatic Change: the increase of Temperature, the diminution of the rain and the drought, the thawing and the late arriving of the snow. The soil erosion is an important subject for each treatment too. It is necessary to develop a big number of improvements in order to fight the Climatic Change problems, even if, these are not the only problems the farmers have