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Paper short abstract

Based on a qualitative survey of professionals involved in testing and demonstrating biological alernatives to pesticides, this article explores the role of knowledge infrastructures in hindering the development of these technologies in France.

Paper long abstract

In France, biological alternatives have been identified as one of the main solutions to reduce the consumption of pesticides. But their dissemination remains limited and encounters numerous obstacles. This paper investigates in depth one of these hurdles: experimental practices and infrastructures.

In France, many organisations are involved in various capacities in activities related to the testing and/or demonstration of plant protection methods: firms, research organisations, technical institutes, chambers of agriculture, cooperatives and trading companies, etc. Based on a qualitative survey of professionals involved in testing and demonstrating biocontrol solutions, this article explores the role of innovation infrastructure and professional testing practices in hindering the development of biocontrol in France.

The aim is to understand the circulation of biocontrol technologies across the spaces (experimental stations, farms, control plots) where their effectiveness is assessed, tested and demonstrated. We examine how the effectiveness of these methods is defined, qualified and measured as well as the infrastructural, methodological, technical and professional issues raised by the dissemination of these methods.

We examine how the effectiveness of biocontrol methods is presented by stakeholders involved in their promotion. This paper reflects and analyses the debates and conflicts of definition surrounding the effectiveness of these methods and their assessment. In doing so, we identify how knowledge infrastructure suited for chemical pesticides impede the dissemination of these alternative technologies.