There has been more than a little discussion in these threads dealing with the quality of what we produce, and the consumers’ desires and demands.
To begin with, I’ll lay my cards down. Face up. I am a so-called “conventional” grower. Yes, I want the ‘system cleansed’, as was claimed in a previous discussion. But not cleansed of the Triffid flax’s or the so many other allegedly harmful practices and products that thankfully, at least so far, are mostly still available to producers and consumers alike. I want it cleansed of the intellectual dishonesty and hypocrisy that has not been challenged sufficiently or rigorously enough to reveal the real issues behind the alleged dangers of Triffid flax and other equally deceptive matters. These issues and stories need to be revealed for just what they are - convenient myths for protectionists, scientific hoaxers, and exploiters.
Myths and junk science perpetuated and reinforced from within the industry will eventually, if it hasn’t already happened, breed a well-earned distrust within the consuming public. That distrust will grow until we cannot be believed by a large proportion of the public, at which time the government will be forced to step in, through regulation, as the source of scientific truth. As laughable as that is (to wit, the global climate change debate) it will happen. Because it will be responsive, naturally, to political agendas it will therefore be prone to be even less honest than the industry itself. Consequently it won’t repair any damage or give consumers any more confidence that their food is safe and healthy. When we refuse to be scrupulously and honestly accountable for what we do and what we sell, we give up our moral and ethical authority, and the reality and perception as believable people - an industry with integrity.
So until this industry we’re in decides to make honesty the hallmark of what we do and say, and valid quality a defining characteristic of what we sell, we’re all going to pay dearly. I’m afraid we may be too late.
To begin with, I’ll lay my cards down. Face up. I am a so-called “conventional” grower. Yes, I want the ‘system cleansed’, as was claimed in a previous discussion. But not cleansed of the Triffid flax’s or the so many other allegedly harmful practices and products that thankfully, at least so far, are mostly still available to producers and consumers alike. I want it cleansed of the intellectual dishonesty and hypocrisy that has not been challenged sufficiently or rigorously enough to reveal the real issues behind the alleged dangers of Triffid flax and other equally deceptive matters. These issues and stories need to be revealed for just what they are - convenient myths for protectionists, scientific hoaxers, and exploiters.
Myths and junk science perpetuated and reinforced from within the industry will eventually, if it hasn’t already happened, breed a well-earned distrust within the consuming public. That distrust will grow until we cannot be believed by a large proportion of the public, at which time the government will be forced to step in, through regulation, as the source of scientific truth. As laughable as that is (to wit, the global climate change debate) it will happen. Because it will be responsive, naturally, to political agendas it will therefore be prone to be even less honest than the industry itself. Consequently it won’t repair any damage or give consumers any more confidence that their food is safe and healthy. When we refuse to be scrupulously and honestly accountable for what we do and what we sell, we give up our moral and ethical authority, and the reality and perception as believable people - an industry with integrity.
So until this industry we’re in decides to make honesty the hallmark of what we do and say, and valid quality a defining characteristic of what we sell, we’re all going to pay dearly. I’m afraid we may be too late.
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