Conserving local goat breeds and traditional pastoralism in Southern France.

Summary Following a survey of farmers in the south of France, the first results show that, for a better management (on a genetic basis) of these breeds, the aids to farmers must be better targeted and effectively depend on genetic management activities of these breeds. Otherwise, this aid can lead to the cessation of activity on these farms or to the substitution of local breeds by animals crossed with more productive breeds (erosion of genetic diversity). A second type of result shows that, even if the incentives can be monetary (in the form of subsidies), farmers are in favor of other forms of recognition, such as certification (AOC, geographical appellations), which can ensure the sustainability of the project through binding specifications on the use of species (management of genetic diversity in crossbreeding and selection). (To be published in: Agricoltura Mediterranea).