Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
continually readjusting the system toward its values. It also provides the perspective
for a more radical and consequent change for a value driven organic or even lifestyle
approach, including several other sustainable practices.
14.3.3
Key Risks in the Organic Future
There are several critical developments in the international political and industrial
arena that fundamentally frame the future of the organic movement, and that could
paralyze the organic system. These call for attention:
￿
Laws, specifically when it comes to agricultural subsidies that do not honor an
agriculture that is internalizing the environmental and social costs in their product
price calculations
￿
The continuous world wide distribution of GMO, that put a GMO free organic
production at risk; and related laws that do not protect organic farmers against
GMO contamination (Hanson et al. 2004 )
￿
The increase of bureaucratic and technical regulations that are economically
unacceptable for small and medium scale farmers, excludes them from the
market, weakening food security and hindering food sovereignty
￿
WTO or other international regulations threaten to undermine social and eco-
logical principles of the organic system (Giovannucci 2003 ; Blay-Palmer 2005 ;
González and Nigh 2005 ; Swinbank 2005 )
These issues are becoming dominant in political norms and laws, and industrial
practices. They fundamentally conflict with the IFOAM Principles, with regard to
food quality and health, ecology, self-determination, justice and care, food security
and food sovereignty (see Freyer et al., Chap. 5 ) . They also threaten the practice
of organic, and lead to a form of agriculture and food quality that would lose
its foundation in the IFOAM Principles and Standards. This development is also
critical for non-organic farmers. All non-GMO and small and medium size non-
organic farms would be affected by such bureaucratization and industrialization of
the agricultural sector.
14.3.4
Toward an Ethically Based Path
Thus, in our minds there is no question that an agricultural movement based on
the ethical concerns expressed by the IFOAM Principles must fight for its place in
world society. In order to offer a different and transparent approach that represents
a convincing contrast to other so-called sustainable approaches, IFOAM and its
associated member organizations must rethink how to promote and communicate
their values to all actors in the organic system and in society. The future of the
organic idea depends upon articulating commonly reflected and practiced values
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