Knowledge synthesis and dissemination in organic research in Sweden: integrating ethics

EPOK (Centre for Organic Food and Farming) at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) works with knowledge synthesis, communication and research initiation in the field of organic farming. In order to facilitate the networking, researchers at departments of different scientific fields are associated to EPOK on a part-time basis. An important aspect of the knowledge transfer is to integrate the basic ethical concepts of health, ecology, fairness and care of organic farming according to the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements into the practical work. In the current EPOK activities the aim is to incorporate the principle of health in the work about animal nutrition and husbandry and in the synthesis work on nutritional aspects of organic food. The ecological principle is implemented in the work concerning cropping systems and interactions with soil fertility, the local flora and fauna and surrounding environment. The fairness principle influence the work on life cycle analysis of organic farming and its effect on climate change, as well as the efforts to give the animals possibility to natural behaviour. The care principle stresses the fact that the current agricultural practises must be developed and refined so that they support ecosystem services that promotes resilient production systems, which is exemplified by the work with biological crop protection methods. Our experience is that this approach to disseminating science to the society is fruitful. Through synthesizing research and experiences by system analysis of the food chain and its environmental impact the ethical principles can be emphasized in a scientific way. Other important activities are to organize workshops and to promote activities that increase the scientific knowledge relevant to organic farming. The approach of EPOK emphasizes the importance of communication through printed leaflets and reports, as well as, electronic newsletters and messages in social media. Furthermore, forums and platforms are created for an enhanced public dialogue.