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Organic Views of Nature: the Debate over Organic Certification for Aquatic Animals
Author(s) -
Mansfield Becky
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
sociologia ruralis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.005
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1467-9523
pISSN - 0038-0199
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9523.2004.00271.x
Subject(s) - organic certification , citation , certification , table of contents , sociology , art history , library science , organic farming , history , political science , law , computer science , agriculture , world wide web , archaeology
Organic and conventional agriculture are considered different not only because of distinct food production practices, but also because organic production is thought to rest on non-dualistic and non-modern views of the natural world. However, views of nature that were expressed in the debate leading up to the US decision not to develop certification standards for fish and shellfish show that organic views of nature are quite complicated, and cannot easily be categorized as either dualistic or non-dualistic. The paper identifies three themes: how those in the organic movement conceptualized the relationship between organic and natural; the emphasis on control as a key dimension of organic practice; and ways that different organisms were classified as being similar or different from each other. Analysis reveals concepts of nature that rely on making sharp distinctions between terrestrial and aquatic systems, distinctions that led to deciding that it is inappropriate to ever certify fish as organic.