Framework for Re-thinking Ethics in the Organic Movement - Re-Thinking Organic Food and Farming in a Changing World - page 266

and thus do not represent a pure form, but as Kröger and Schäfer ( 2013 ) suggest,
some difference between “ideal and reality”. Of course, the different histories
and development of the organic movement (US, Australia or Europe as well as
Asia, Africa and Latin America) and related agro-ecological, cultural and economic
environments call for further detailed investigations of how the typology represents
a realistic picture of the differentiation of values in the organic agrofood chain.

13.2 The Role of Ethics in Different Sectors of the Organic

Agrofood Chain

While there is increased popularity, attention and commitment to organic, the
explicit recognition of the IFOAM Principles of Health, Ecology, Fairness and
Care is not always visible in practice. If IFOAM claims that organic is the most
ethical and sustainable form of agriculture and food production, then bringing these
principles back to center stage of the organic agrofood chain is one critical aspect
of what is needed in “re-thinking organic.”
For that we have to broaden our perspective on ethics beyond the organic key
actors discussed in Sect. 13.1 , to consider additional factors that influence the
ethical practices of the organic agrofood chain. To do so, this section first offers
insights on the relevance of ethics in IFOAM Standards, control and certification
system. We also look at alternative control and certification procedures and modes
of collaboration between farmers, consumers and trade that are sensitive to the
IFOAM Principles and specifically to integrating social values (see the Principles
of Fairness and Care). The position of consumers as the only “unregulated” actors
in the organic agrofood chain is critically discussed with reference to our ideas
for creating consumer commitment in the organic agrofood chain. Finally, we offer
some insights on the current status of ethics in higher education, advisory services
and research, and how these sectors contribute to an ethically founded organic
movement.

13.2.1 Ethical Challenges in Organic Standard, Control

and Certification Systems

While discussions and reviews of diverse farmer and consumer values have always
been part of the organic movement, assessments of ethics in organic standards
and regulations (e.g., DeLind 2000 ; DeLind and Howard 2008 ; Padel et al. 2009 ,
2010 , p. 84), and specifically the organic certification system, are relatively recent
(Neuendorff and Spiller 2011 ). Organic production, consumption and markets are
regulated and influenced by standards, control and certification, and in turn are
influenced by these activities (see Hatanaka, Chap. 3 ; see Loconto and Van der