Ethical food: moral or practical dilemma?

Erik Schmid

Ethical food: moral or practical dilemma?

In: Ethical futures: bioscience and food horizons

Author:

Erik Schmid

Erik Schmid 6901 Bregenz, Austria; erik.schmid@vorarlberg.at

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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 358–362

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.3920/9789086866731_061

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Eurobarometer data indicates that many people are in favour of ‘ethical food’. Consumer attitudes to animal welfare strictly depends on clear information and experience of farm visits. If clear labelling was applied to products it would be easy to purchase ethical food and enjoy its consumption. The ‘ethical matrix concept’ is one of the first promising approaches that can be applied to qualify views of the ethical value of products. Consumer attitudes and the actual shopping decision can differ for various reasons. If the views of various stakeholders are examined, it is claimed that farmers will feel more or less comfortable with the current production situation. Farmers see the setting of higher standards (especially animal welfare or environmental protection) as unnecessary, it should be business as usual with regards to ‘Good Manufacturing Practice’. Consumers state that they cannot afford ethical food since it is too expensive. Nevertheless, money is spent on other luxury items, e.g. designer clothing and holidays. In Austria, on average only 12% of the overall cost of living is spent on food. Retailers successfully use their own trade marks to define food quality. These are often clear labels used for specific brands of food that sell well. However, these labels are difficult to compare with each other, they can confuse consumers rather than informing them. Politicians set a clear legal framework for the free market to regulate itself and it is the responsibility of consumers to make their choice within this framework. Hence there is urgent need for a transparent system. At the moment, the ‘Animal Welfare Label’ takes only one dimension into consideration. Other examples for simple categorisation of complex subjects can be indentified such as The European Energy Award® with its e5. The Ecosocial Forum Europe has created a concept for the ethical assessment of products including five dimensions, these include: Highest product quality for consumers; fair price for the farmers; sustainable care of landscape; good animal husbandry; and efficient use of energy. Applying this concept to animal production systems would ensure a fair competition in production and retail, simple and clear information for consumers to make a fair decision at the point of sale.

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Ethical futures: bioscience and food horizons

E-Book ISBN:: 9789086866731

Publisher:: Wageningen Academic

Print Publication Date:: 30 Oct 2009

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- Life Sciences

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Ethical food: moral or practical dilemma?

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Ethical futures: bioscience and food horizons

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