Controversies and Concerns.

Place of the standards

Standards and Principles have to be related or connected but this should not be in the minds of those developing the principles. Every principle does not have to be reflected in the standards. That is to say they will be relevant to the development of standards but not necessarily that every principle will have a standard

Leading v. Uniting

Principles that are “leading” or ahead of where organic agriculture are more idealistic and exclusive. Principles that are “uniting” are more pragmatic and inclusive.

Anthropocentric v. ecological

Should the principles focus on human activity or should principles look at the broader ecological context in which humans are only one of many species?

Global v. Local

Local markets should not necessarily be a principle on its own – there has always been trade between different cultures, nationalities – eg the silk road in Asia

Economic and social considerations
Livihood/Equity - WB has concerns re this language.

Principle of Ecological Integrity instead of Cyclical Principle

Precautionary Principle - not sure whether this should be a stand alone principle