Protection de l'eau et agriculture : une négociation au long cours

Contrainte par l'Union européenne à renforcer ses mesures de protection des ressources naturelles en eau, la France comporte quelques exemple de réussite en la matière. Ainsi en est-il du cas de Lons-le-Saunier, précurseur en matière de protection préventive de la qualité de l'eau. Notre étude a porté sur le processus de négociation entre les autorités publiques locales et les agriculteurs, analysé sur le temps long, en intégrant les dynamiques professionnelles agricoles. Nos résultats mettent en évidence le rôle central des élus lédoniens qui, tout en ayant choisi la voie de la concertation, mobilisent ponctuellement les outils réglementaires pour contraindre les agriculteurs. L'engagement de ces derniers dans la protection de la ressource s'explique également par les bénéfices matériels et symboliques qu'ils en ont obtenus sur le plan professionnel.

The French State is accused by the European Union of failing to protect its natural water resources. Yet there are many examples of water protection success. Lons-le-Saunier is one sych example where the town council implements preventive actions to preserve drinking water quality. Our paper analyses the negociation process between the town council and the farmers. We conducted a long-term study which integrated the professional dynamics of farmers. Thirty people were interviewed in order to understand their mutual relationships and their own representation of the environmental problem and of the solution adopted Three more or less conflicting priods were detected. In the first period contracts to alter farming practices were signed between the town council and the farmers. In the second period these contracts were renewed by tacit agreement. The third period was characterized by a growing complexity of regulations and the intervention of an increasing number of state stakeholders. In all, this environmental policy remains original and precursory. Yet, contrary to what is currently reported in the media organic farming does not serve water quality today in this particular area. The role played by the town council must be underlined here. They chose a dialogue approach but sometimes used regulatory tools to oblige farmers to take part in the negotiation. The farmers' commitment to natural resources protection may be explained by the material and symbolic benefits they obtained.