The Ethics of Intensification: Agricultural Development and Cultural Change

ISBN-13: 9789048179688 / Angielski / Miękka / 2010 / 231 str.

Paul B. Thompson

Opis

The Ethics of Agricultural Intensification: An Interdisciplinary and International Conversation Paul B. Thompson and John Otieno Ouko* Global agriculture faces a number of challenges as the world approaches the second decade of the third millennium. Predictions unilaterally indicate dramatic increases in world population between 2010 and 2030, and a trend in developing countries toward greater consumption of animal products could multiply the need for prod- tion of basic grains even further. Although global food production in 2000 was estimated to be adequate for the existing population, hunger and malnutrition are persistent problems that have led decision makers to recognize that increasing food production in specific regions may be the most effective way to address food se- rity for impoverished peoples. At the same time, there will need to be policy adju- ments that improve poor people s access to current food supplies without simultaneously undercutting the ability of local producers to obtain needed cash income. What is more, the uncertain effects of global climate change on agricultural ecosystems complicate planning for this process, while poorly understood processes of globa- zation create additional unknowns from the side of social systems. In short, despite surpluses in many parts of the developed world, finding ways to increase food p- duction on both selected regional and a total global basis remains a priority for many farmers, policy makers and agricultural researchers."

Recenzje

From the reviews:

"The book helpful in the multiple overviews it provided of the major fault lines that exist in mainstream ethical theory. ... for anyone who requires an accessible survey of recent ethical and political controversies in agriculture. ... it is rich enough in detail and theoretical depth that I could also recommend it as a textbook for higher level university courses in fields that deal with such issues in greater detail. ... to all those interested in the subject of the philosophy of technology ... ." (James B. Gerrie, Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, Vol. 22, 2009)

Spis treści

Acknowledgements; Contributors; Introduction: The Ethics of Agricultural Intensification: An Interdisciplinary and International Paul B. Thompson, Editor, Michigan State University Chapter 1 – The ethics of sustainable agricultural intensification FAO Ethics Series Chapter 2 – Doing Ethics in Food and Agriculture Clive Stannard, FAO Commission of Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Chapter 3 – History, Ethics, and Intensification in Agriculture John H. Perkins, The Evergreen State College and Rachael Jamison, Washington State Chapter 4 – One Hundred Years of Agricultural Intensification: A Personal History of Unanswered Ethical Issues—1890-2004 Allan Schmid, Michigan State University Chapter 5 – Two Battles in the History of Agriculture: Against Hunger and Against Alternatives Comments on John Perkins and Rachael Jamison’ History, Ethics and Intensification in Agriculture Michiel Korthals, Wageningen Animal Veterinary Research Institute Chapter 6 – Agriculture Intensification from the Perspective of Development Ethics Luis Camacho, University of Costa Rica Chapter 7 – Comments On Luis Camacho, 'Agriculture Intensification from the Perspective of Development Ethics' Stephen L. Esquith, Michigan State University Chapter 8 – Agricultural Intensification: Some Human Rights Issues John Otieno Ouko, Michigan State University Chapter 9 – Environmental Ethics and Agricultural Intensification Clare Palmer, Washington University, St. Louis Chapter 10 – Agricultural Intensification and the Environment Lawrence Busch, Michigan State University Chapter 11 – Agricultural Intensification, Environmental Ethics and Sustainability: Some EthicalObservations Nigel Dower, University of Aberdeen Chapter 12 – Animal Welfare and the Intensification of Animal Production David Fraser, University of British Columbia Chapter 13 – Re-thinking the Ethics of Intensification for Animal Agriculture:Comments on David Fraser, 'Animal Welfare and the Intensification of Animal Production' Peter Sandøe, Centre for Bioethics and Risk Assessment, The Danish Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University Chapter 14 – Farm Welfare: A Systemic Challenge Richard Bawden, University of Western Sydney Chapter 15 – Ethics in Agricultural Change: Questions and Proposals for Development Processes Andrew Dorward, Imperial College London, Wye Campus List of Conference Participants; Bibliography; Index.

Blurb

This volume was written in response to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Series of Ethics Papers that broached a series of previously neglected issues in international agricultural development. The volume contains a diverse collection of highly respected international scholars offering comments and elaboration on the FAO papers on the ethics of agricultural intensification and on intensification in animal agriculture. The full text of the FAO intensification paper is followed by chapters that mount specific reactions to its relevance for agricultural technology, environmental protection, globalization and animal welfare, and these four topics are further discussed, debated and elaborated by eight commentary chapters. Questions of agricultural development policy are addressed in terms of the relevance to farmers, consumers and other interested parties, as well as from key disciplinary and philosophical approaches. The rationale and purpose behind the FAO papers is explained and suggestions are offered on how to make ethics more central to programming and planning for agricultural development projects.