2nd call for papers

The congress theme is The Ethics of Consumption: The Citizen, The Market, and The Law

EurSafe 2013 is a forum for discussion of ethical issues at the intersection between social, economic and legal aspects of consumption of food and agricultural products. The congress has three main sub themes connected to the overall issue of ethical consumption. However, general contributions to Food Ethics are also welcome.

Confirmed Keynote Speakers
Philip Cafaro, Colorado State University, USA
Dorothea Kleine, University of London, Great Britain
Mara Miele, Cardiff University, Great Britain
Ian Robertson, International Animal Law, New Zealand

While arguably remarkably efficient, the present system for agriculture and food production involves a number of negative consequences for human health, the environment, and animal welfare. Great challenges lie ahead as we are facing population growth and climate change. It is frequently argued that one of the keys to meeting those challenges lies in changing consumption patterns, for instance through reducing meat consumption, switching to organic or fair trade products, boycotting or ‘buycotting’ certain products, or consuming less overall. There is considerable disagreement regarding how to bring this about, whose responsibility it is, and even whether it is desirable. Is it a question of political initiatives, the virtues and vices of individual consumers in the developed world, or something else?

The Citizen: To an increasing degree, individuals’ actions and choice of lifestyle have been put into focus rather than political and collective solutions. This raises questions such as: What roles and responsibilities regarding food consumption are related to being a citizen and consumer respectively? Is there any significant difference between a ‘food consumer’ and a ‘food citizen’?  Do we need to contextualize our expectations to the ethical consumer / citizen (e.g. in respect to culture, tradition, religion) or would we rather opt for a universal ‘food citizen’ codex?

The Market: Ethical consumption proceeds in the midst of economic realities like  free trade and its barriers, agricultural subsidies,  consumer expectations and preferences, labelling and ‘glocalness’ and so called organic alternatives. Given the two main trends in food marketing; globalisation on the one hand, and strive for localisation or regional or traditional food markets on the other, the issue of ethical consumption becomes closely related to understanding content and impacts of the tension between a variety of interests and ethical aspects. What is the role of retailers, producers and transport chains and waste processing in this tension? How are we to create efficient communication built on trust in the junction of economic factors, politics and human action as regards food consumption? What is the contribution of schemes like CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), certification systems and fair trade to a dialogue between these actors?

The Law: In the light of an increasing strive for ethical consumption the role, limits and possibilities of legislation are important to discuss. Traditionally legislation sets a minimum level, partly due to respect for cultural differences. However, globalization has promoted a deregulation of the food market and therefore both national and international institutions find it difficult to develop intervention tools that can reorient the food market. In the case of the European Union, food legislation does not set any more a minimum level as it usually did. Several factors have provoked a harmonization at maximum levels that aims at free trade and has relevant collateral consequences. Is the role of legislation rather to drive a change in consumer and market behaviour? If so, how to balance with freedom of choice, but also with global food security, animal welfare and climate change mitigation? To what extent can legislation mirror ‘the’ public view changing over time? How to value public participation in the development of food policies and legislation? Who defines what constitutes a ‘good food legislation’, its range - for whom, and based on what values?

You are invited to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentation. We welcome contributions on these themes as well as general themes on Food and agricultural ethics from a range of fields, such as ethics and philosophy, anthrozoology, social and historical sciences, education and pedagogics, political philosophy, law, animal welfare science, applied ethology, laboratory animals, veterinary medicine, biology, environment, rural development, and recreation. Please refer to the congress website for detailed instructions.

Among accepted abstracts from students (incl. PhD students) we will select a number of the best for free conference fee and hotel. Please apply as you fill in the registration form.

For links to abstract submission, registration and accomodation, please use links on this webpage.

 Important dates
1 Jan 2013 Deadline for submission of abstracts (for oral or poster presentation)
11 Feb 2013 Notification of abstracts to authors
2 April 2013 Deadline for submission of full papers
2 May 2013 Notification of full papers to authors
3 June 2013 Deadline for suggestion of workshops
3 June 2013 Deadline for early bird registration

Kind regards and most welcome,
Helena Röcklinsberg, Per Sandin, Anne Algers, Bo Algers, Stefan Gunnarsson and Jan Hultgren
The EurSafe 2013 Organising Committee, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Conference Secretariat:  Academic Conferences
Tel. +46 18 67 10 03 Fax. +46 18 67 35 30
E-Mail: eursafe@slu.se