Constrained Choice and Ethical Dilemmas in Land Management: Environmental Quality and Food Safety
in California Agriculture |
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Authors: | Diana Stuart |
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Institution: | (1) Environmental Studies Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, USA |
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Abstract: | As environmental and conservation efforts increasingly turn towards agricultural landscapes, it is important to understand
how land management decisions are made by agricultural producers. While previous studies have explored producer decision-making,
many fail to recognize the importance of external structural influences. This paper uses a case study to explore how consolidated
markets and increasing corporate power in the food system can constrain producer choice and create ethical dilemmas over land
management. Crop growers in the Central Coast region of California face conflicting demands regarding environmental quality
and industry imposed food safety standards. A mail survey and personal interviews were used to explore growers’ perceptions
and actions regarding these demands. Results indicate that in many cases growers face serious ethical dilemmas and feel pressured
by large processing and retail firms to adopt measures they find environmentally destructive and unethical. Future strategies
to address environmental issues on agricultural landscapes should consider the economic constraints producers face and the
role of large firms in creating production standards. |
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Keywords: | Constrained behavior Environmental quality Ethical dilemmas Food safety Land management Producer decision-making |
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