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The value of 'naturalness' in organic agriculture; Theme: Values in Organic Agriculture

Verhoog, H.; Lammerts Van Bueren, E.T.; Matze, M. and Baars, T. (2007) The value of 'naturalness' in organic agriculture; Theme: Values in Organic Agriculture. NJAS : Wageningen journal of life sciences / Royal Society for Agricultural Sciences, 2007, 54 (4), 333 - 346.

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Document available online at: https://library.wur.nl/WebQuery/groenekennis/1838767


Summary

Producers, traders and consumers of organic food regularly use the concept of the natural to characterize organic agriculture or organic food. Critics sometimes argue that such use lacks any rational (scientific) basis and only refers to sentiment. We carried out research to (1) better understand the content and the use of the concepts of nature and the natural in organic agriculture, (2) to reconstruct the value basis underlying the use of the concept of the natural in organic agriculture, and (3) to draw implications for agricultural practice and policy. A literature study and the authors’ own experience were used to produce a discussion document with explicit statements about the meaning of natural in the different areas of organic agriculture. These statements were validated by means of qualitative interviews with stakeholders. The concept of nature or the natural appeared to be value-laden. The value basis is a normative reconstruction that cannot just be derived from the use of the word natural by organic stakeholders. For this reconstructed concept the word naturalness is used. Naturalness thus becomes an ethical value for organic agriculture, an inspirational guide for organic stakeholders. The value of naturalness refers to a basic respect for the intrinsic value of nature, i.e., the value nature has, independent of the benefits it may have for humans. This manifests itself in three ways: (1) in the use of natural substances, (2) in respecting the self-regulation of living organisms and ecosystems, and (3) in respecting the characteristic (species-specific) nature of living organisms. If organic stakeholders limit themselves to using natural substances it is called the no-chemicals approach. If they also respect the self-organization of living organisms the authors call it the agro-ecological approach. If also the normative element of naturalness is included, it is called the integrity approach.


EPrint Type:Newspaper or magazine article
Keywords:milieu (nl), environment (en), ethiek (nl), ethics (en), gezondheid (nl), health (en), biologische landbouw (nl), organic farming (en), biologische voedingsmiddelen (nl), organic foods (en), begrippen (nl), concepts (en), 113-C-1-a Intenties van ecologische landbouw (nl), 113-C-1-a Intentions for Organic Farming (en)
Subjects:"Organics" in general
Research affiliation: Netherlands > BioKennisBank
Related Links:https://edepot.wur.nl/150976
Project ID:BKB
Deposited By: Blom, M
ID Code:48811
Deposited On:12 Jun 2023 06:43
Last Modified:12 Jun 2023 06:43
Document Language:English

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