Food & Ethics (Source: Michael Korthals, 2001, “Taking Consumers Seriously...,” Journal of Agricultural & Environmental Ethics, 14: ) Seriously...,” Journal of Agricultural & Environmental Ethics, 14: )

Consumers increasingly demanding that food:  is produced in certain “ethical ways”  ethics deals with values  - what is perceived to be “good” or “right”  consumer concerns relate to not only  - safety and health (risks and benefits)  ex.) Use of antibiotics in animal production

continued  - but ethical standards, such as  - animal welfare  - environmental concerns  - labor practices  - fair trade

The Citizen Consumer  Previous distinction between citizen and consumer.  - As citizen deal with public issues (i.e. affect others).  - As consumers deal with private consumption.  However, increasingly people don’t separate the two.

Emergence of “ethical shopping”  Attach moral significance to way products are produced and used.  Express ethical concerns/values in market as well as politically.

Essential Ethical Principles  Autonomy – respecting the autonomous choices of other individuals, including a right to privacy. ex.) Intrusion of market research  Justice – distribution of benefits, risks, costs that are fair, equitable and appropriate in terms of what is due a person.  Nonmaleficence – not inflicting evil or harm intentionally on others, concealing information on risk as an ethical violation (asymmetric information).  Beneficence – contribute to the welfare of others by preventing evil or harm or promoting good.

However, such principles  Are not sufficient alone to provide ethical solutions (positions).  Need also a value orientation.

Old Conception of Consumers  Consumer sovereignty – right of consumer to get information on products and make her/his own choice. ex.)- Labeling of gm products (Europe) ex.)- Labeling of gm products (Europe) - Labeling of gm free products (U.S. Organic Reg). - Labeling of gm free products (U.S. Organic Reg).  Emphasis on rights of the individual.

Addressing New Ethical Food Concerns Involves:  Bringing together scientific understanding with ethical principles.  Three principles: - general welfare - general welfare - people’s rights - justice. - people’s rights - justice.

The Precautionary Principle  If consequences are uncertain should error on side of caution (but almost everything is risky).  Stressed by the Europeans.  Similar to a safety first approach.

These decisions requires a public debate  Strong politics (decision making or legislation).  Weak politics (opinion formation) (discursive politics).

Risks and Trust  Modern, democratic societies will not entrust their health, environment, or food entirely to experts and business.  Agribusiness, farmers, etc. must engage in a dialogue with public, consumers (ngo’s). ex.) Monsanto  Can’t overlook normative meaning of food to people by focusing just on trust in food system and risk to human health.

Gap between public (consumers) and food system is widening  Central question of how to feed oneself in a technological society.  Some consumers increasingly care not only about what they consume, but how it was produced.  Multi-functionality of agriculture (environment, landscape, rural community).  Food is intrinsically linked with one’s identity.

Trust becomes more important in technological society  Trust in experts/systems.  An action seen as a violation of trust can have grave consequences.  Confidence in reliability of a product or system.  Increasingly requires confidence that concerns are being met.

A bilateral form of communication is required  Not only producers informing consumers.  But also where consumers’ demand experts and producers be informed about their ethical concerns.  Devices to build trust can be used strategically.  Market for undifferentiated commodities is declining, whereas differentiated, even identity preserved, ones is increasing.

Need broader perspective of food as:  Ethical view sees food as more than just another commodity or consumer product.  An integral part of lifestyle and values  Food choices can reflect our self- image  And image of kind of world and community want to live in.

The “Floating” Consumers  Consumers are not necessarily consistent.  Choose organic produce at one time and eat fast food another.  Changing social and psychological context of consumer choices.

Need food advisory councils similar to ethical committees in hospitals  Would represent public/civil society.  Would focus on evaluation of ethical concerns regarding food.  Councils located in stage of food chain where problems occur.

In post-modern world  Governments no longer the only policy agent.  Role of sub-politics (social and technological processes, ngo’s, etc.).  Supra-political (international org.). ex.) WTO ex.) WTO  Role between market (private) and politics (public) is blurred.