The value of ‘naturalness’ in organic agriculture

Abstract

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 (I) 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: (I) in the use of natural substances, (2) in respecting the self-regulation ofliving organisms and ecosystems, and (3) in respecting the characteristic (species-specific) nature ofliving organisms. If organic stakeholders limit themselves to using natural substances it is called the no-chemicals approach. If they also respect the self-organization ofliving organisms the authors call it the agro-ecological approach. If also the normative element of naturalness is included, it is called the integrity approach.

Concepts of Animal Health and Welfare in Organic Livestock Systems

“…Segerdahl (2007) proposes that we understand farms as local human/animal cultures, and believes this will help us to decide how we can understand ''natural behavior,'' for example. Verhoog et al (2007) link this closely to the concept of integrity, which comprises ''the respect for the wholeness, harmony or identity of living entity.'' Farmers have to understand the animals' natural needs in the context of the farming systems, for example feeding ruminants like ruminants and not like monogastric animals.…”

“…For the animals, this includes access to outdoor areas and freedom of choice that allows each animal to express its individual preferences (Lund 2002 andVerhoog et al 2004;Waiblinger et al 2004;Verhoog et al 2007). In addition to considerations regarding the individual animal, organic farming incorporates a systemic view of humans and animals as part of a larger ecological system (Baars et al 2004;Vaarst et al 2004;Alrøe et al 2001), and incorporates climatic, cultural, traditional, and social conditions of the surroundings .…”

The Role of Animals in Eco-functional Intensification of Organic Agriculture

“…However, the concept of naturalness is also included here. For the animals, this includes access to outdoor areas and freedom of choice that allows each animal to express its individual preferences (Lund, 2002(Lund, , 2006Verhoog et al, 2004;Verhoog et al, 2007;Waiblinger et al, 2004;Bracke & Spoolder, 2013). Their species specific needs can, for example, be having mother-offspring contact, dust bathing, space for natural laying down behavior, wallowing, grazing and social behavior), and to have species-specific feed, so that ruminants are fed 'ruminant feed', which is high amounts of roughage and grass based diets.…”

How to understand the complexity of product quality and the challenges in differentiating between organically and conventionally grown products—exemplified by fresh and heat-processed carrots (Daucus carota L.)

“…In our study, six quality aspects as well as indicators were chosen based on consumer investigations and quality-related studies on fresh as well as heat-processed carrots produced by non-organic or organic farming systems (Brandt and Molgaard 2001;Kader 2008;Brandt et al 2004;Gennaro and Quaglia 2003;Lees 2003;Verhoog et al 2007;Fillion and Kilkast 2000;Toivonen et al 1992;Fjeldsenden et al 1981;Haglund et al 1999). The individual criteria are outlined in detail, and the coherences between farming system and quality parameters are described, as well as how to deal with these coherences.…”