Lawrence Busch - Böcker

For ages, farmers have domesticated plant varieties, while scientists have "made" nature through hybridization and other processes. This give and take—mediated through negotiations, persuasion, the marketplace, and even coercion—has resulted in what we call "nature" and has led to a homogenization of plant crops. Yet homogenization has led to new problems: genetic vulnerability, and the lack of systems to maintain plant germplasm of varieties no longer grown in the fields. This book addresses issues previously viewed as primarily technical concerning the germplasm debate: that is, how, what, and where to store the range of genetic materials necessary to reproduce plants. By examining Brazil, Chile, France, and the United States, the authors show how different cultures respond to the decline in genetic diversity. The findings show that the quest for uniformity in foods, agriculture, and environment eventually threatens everyone. The politicization of this debate is inevitable because the destruction of human cultural diversity goes hand in hand with the destruction of plant varietal diversity. The authors agree that responses to the controversies must involve food security, relinking of food with agriculture and the environment, revaluing traditional knowledge, and rethinking development. They stress that answers will be found not by experts acting unilaterally but through the democratization of scientific and technical exchange.

Food and agricultural standards have recently risen to the top of both national and international agendas. Popular concerns about the power of the World Trade Organization focus on the intertwined relationships between environmental protection, labor and human rights, and the standards used to produce and supply our food and fiber globally. In the developing world, agricultural grades and standards are an important part of the reconfiguration of roles and responsibilities between various public and private actors in market reform.This original and informative collection of studies of agri-food standards in the modern economy addresses these and helps to define the scope of the emerging study of the politics of standards setting. Following an overview essay dealing with the multiple ways of thinking about, approaching and defining food and agricultural standards, eleven case studies offer a rich body of evidence that assesses the processes, dynamics and potential consequences of global agri-food standards.For all interested in the strategic use of food and agricultural standards – from those in national and international governmental agencies, researchers and others in the academic and private sector to those in the private business sector – this volume offers a broader perspective on and will serve as an important resource.

Large-scale socio-economic, political and structural changes characterize contemporary agriculture and food today. This Handbook provides an essential overview to help readers understand the future evolution of agri-food through an analysis of the economy in key regions around the world.Along with chapters that investigate agri-food in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Oceania, the book includes contributions that cover topics such as labor, science and technology, the financialization of agri-food, and supermarkets.This Handbook will be required reading for researchers, scholars and students in the social sciences looking to learn more about agriculture and food. Policy makers and industry leaders interested in agri-food will also find this to be an insightful read.Contributors: G. Aboites, C. Bain, J.S. Barbosa Cavalcanti, M.Belo Moreira, B. Bock, A. Bonanno, B. Brandl, L. Busch, I. Cucco, T. Dandachi, M. del Rosario Castro Bernardini, J. Dixon, M. Etxezarreta, M. Fairbairn, M. Fonte, L. Glenna, L. Horlings, K. Jones, E.E. Krone, G. Lawrence, F. Martinez, M. Miele, G. Otero, A. Patel-Campillo, G. Pechlaner, E. Ransom, J. Rosell, C. Sachs, K. Sekine, L. Viladomiu

Large-scale socio-economic, political and structural changes characterize contemporary agriculture and food today. This Handbook provides an essential overview to help readers understand the future evolution of agri-food through an analysis of the economy in key regions around the world.Along with chapters that investigate agri-food in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Oceania, the book includes contributions that cover topics such as labor, science and technology, the financialization of agri-food, and supermarkets.This Handbook will be required reading for researchers, scholars and students in the social sciences looking to learn more about agriculture and food. Policy makers and industry leaders interested in agri-food will also find this to be an insightful read.Contributors: G. Aboites, C. Bain, J.S. Barbosa Cavalcanti, M.Belo Moreira, B. Bock, A. Bonanno, B. Brandl, L. Busch, I. Cucco, T. Dandachi, M. del Rosario Castro Bernardini, J. Dixon, M. Etxezarreta, M. Fairbairn, M. Fonte, L. Glenna, L. Horlings, K. Jones, E.E. Krone, G. Lawrence, F. Martinez, M. Miele, G. Otero, A. Patel-Campillo, G. Pechlaner, E. Ransom, J. Rosell, C. Sachs, K. Sekine, L. Viladomiu