Tick-borne disease risks and livestock management: Farmer’s knowledge and practices in a Corsican valley (France)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Tick-borne diseases are a major human and animal health problem for Western countries, particularly in view of climate change. However, farmers’ practices and knowledge of tick management remain poorly addressed. This paper examines this issue through a micro-local case study in a Corsican valley, France. Interviews using several methods were conducted with 17 ruminant or horse farmers. Despite considerable field experience, the farmers exhibit poor spatial and biological knowledge of ticks and related diseases, thus leading to a lack of appropriate management practices. However, the data collected show that these farmers could be an effective sentinel population. More efficient prevention could be developed locally through a hybridization of knowledge among farmers and scientists.