ArticleAgriculture and Human Values
pp 1-12
Abstract
Food production, water
management, land use, and animal and public health are all topics of
extensive public debate. These themes are linked to the core activities
of the agricultural sector, and more specifically to the work of
farmers. Nonetheless, the ethical discussions are mostly initiated by
interest groups in society rather than by farmers. At least in Europe,
consumer organizations and animal welfare and environmental
organizations are more present in the public debate than farmers. This
is not how it should be. First, because consumers often cannot but rely
on agriculture. Second, because recent research shows that farmers have
moral beliefs and convictions that appear to be broader than economic
considerations and that are—to a certain extent—specific to their
profession. This raises the question how to make input from farmers
operational in the public debates on the future of farming. We discuss
one option: entrusting farmers with professional autonomy concerning
moral matters related to farming. We sketch the historical background of
the current situation in which farmers are relatively silent on moral
matters and we present some clear indications that farmers have values
and moral beliefs that are relevant for the public debate. Next the
concepts of professionalism and professional autonomy are discussed and
applied to the practice of farming. Finally, we discuss the relevance
and limits of professional moral autonomy for the agricultural
profession. We close with an overview of what this moral autonomy
implies for and requires from farmers in practice. We conclude that if
some preconditions are met by farmers, then this type of moral autonomy
can be relevant for farmers and for society, and contributes to the
quality of the public debate on the future of farming.
