THE TWO FACES OF JANO: AGROBUSINESS AND FAMILY FARMING CONFRONTING THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

Abstract

Following the framework of environmental sociology, in this article is analysed how one of the most serious agricultural pollution problems in Southern Brazil is socially constructed: the one caused by pig manure in the West region of Santa Catarina State. The following phases are identified in relation to the environmental problem: 1) emergency of the perception that there is an environmental problem; 2) legitimisation of that perception as a relevant issue through the co-ordinate action of a group of key regional social actors, with special participation of the agroindustries; and 3) the apparent solution of the problem, with a significant number of contract farmers with slurry storages and many important environmental awards won by the agroindustries. They have obtained consensus in the region as "obligatory passage point" about the definition of what is pollution and how it needs to be controlled. But, it is argue that neither the causes nor the environmental consequences are effectively modified through the implemented strategies. Finally, there is a brief analysis about the relations between diversified family farming, pig production and regional sustainable development.