Agriculture Reference
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respondents and 16 per cent of conventional farmers thought that it could be. Agricultural
sustainability is crucial for maintaining long-term food security. Thirty-two per cent of
conventional farmers said that organic food production is unsustainable in comparison with
only four per cent of organic farmers.
Both survey groups were asked if they thought conventional food production was having
negative
environmental impacts. The frequency of farmers' responses have been categorised
under the five headings graphically detailed in Figure 3.
1. Yes
2. Yes with specific reason
3. Not always/depends on farmer
4. No
5. No with specific reasons
Fig. 3. Frequency of farmers' response to the environmental impacts of conventional food
production
The figure shows that fewer conventional than organic respondents perceive conventional
food production to have negative environmental impacts. Fourteen (56%) organic farmers
thought that conventional agriculture is harmful to the environment in contrast to three
(12%) conventional farmers. Another four (16%) organic farmers said yes, but qualified their
answer with specific reasons for their environmental concern such as: 'high levels of nitrate
and pesticides on crops'. High pesticide usage can lead to further pest resistance and
farmers' reliance on agribusiness, thereby creating significant environmental costs and
adversely affecting food security.
Only one organic farmer (OF3) thought conventional food
production is not having negative impacts compared with 16 (64%) of conventional farmers
who agreed with that statement. One 45 year old owner-occupier organic farmer with a post
graduate degree replied: 'not always, like anything at its worst it depends on the farmer and
his attitude …' (OF10). Earlier analysis showed that, although the two survey groups were
relatively evenly matched in the number of vocational qualifications, organic farmers have
more qualifications towards the upper end of the education spectrum and it is only organic
farmers who have a higher degree. Dunlap et al., (2000) found that environmental concern
was correlated with variables such as age and education. However, a different picture is
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