Sociologia Ruralis (2004) 44(2): 216-232
Organic views of nature: the debate over organic
certification for aquatic animals
Becky Mansfield, The Ohio State University
Abstract: 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.