AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERCEPTIONS IN THE MANCHE-DEPARTEMENT

This paper analyses and explains the various perceptions of the environment held by farmers in the French Departement of the Manche, in the context of the implementation of two agro-environmental measures emanating from the Common Agricultural Policy. Over the last ten years, several developments have contributed to the emergence of environmental problems in this area. After an analysis of these problems, the results of a farmer survey are presented. Farmers' perceptions of the environment seem to be connected to their professional identity, and their position in local society. The plurality of attitudes shows that refusal to participate in the implementation of agro-environmental measures certainly does not reflect a lack of interest in environmental problems. Unwillingness may also have its origin in contradictory ideas about the role of agriculture.