Whose ethics and for whom? Dealing with ethical disputes in agri-food governance

Talis Tisenkopfs (), Emils Kilis (), Mikelis Grivins () and Anda Adamsone-Fiskovica ()
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Talis Tisenkopfs: Baltic Studies Centre
Emils Kilis: Baltic Studies Centre
Mikelis Grivins: Baltic Studies Centre
Anda Adamsone-Fiskovica: Baltic Studies Centre

Agriculture and Human Values, 2019, vol. 36, issue 2, No 16, 353-364

Abstract: Abstract In contemporary societies there is a continuous process of creation and destruction of ethics. Shared norms are fuzzy, as actors tend to share core principles but interpret them differently. In this paper we analyse three cases of ethical dispute in the agri-food sector by employing the distinction between matters of fact and matters of concern proposed by Bruno Latour. We further suggest that ethics in the agri-food industry should be considered in relation to collective goals such as sustainability and social justice. To expand the role of ethics it is necessary to broaden the view on who is responsible and how for the manifold challenges faced in food production, distribution and consumption. We contend that reflections on the relationship between ethics and sustainability must go beyond an anthropocentric approach and also consider the welfare of non-human nature (e.g. land, animals). Our study suggests that the boundary between politics and ethics is fluid and governing institutions have a role to play in ethicisation of food systems along with industry and civil society. Any resolution of matters of concern is neither innocent, nor impartial. Ethical responses to food system challenges are rather to be established through dialogue and alignment of ethical practices.

Keywords: Agri-food system; Ethics; Disputes; Sustainability; Matters of fact; Matters of concern; Responsibility; Governance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10460-019-09921-6

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