Abstract
The 2001 Foot and Mouth Diseaseoutbreak in the UK has had widespread adverseeffects – on the farming community, thetourist industry, millions of farm animals, theenvironment, and citizens' quality of life.This report summarizes the course of theepidemic and then questions the ethicalvalidity of the procedure chosen to eradicatethe disease, namely, the slaughter of millionsof animals. It is argued that the utilitarianbasis of the mass slaughter program isunjustified even in its own terms, and thatrespect for certain deontological principlesmerits increased attention in public policy.The long-term interests of UK citizens, theviability of British farming, and theconservation of the countryside all depend onurgent, critical decisions that should beinformed by a broader conception of the role ofethics in agriculture.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Coghlan, A., “Virus on the rampage,” New Scientist (3 March 2001), 4-5.
European Commission, “Strategy for emergency vaccination against Foot and Mouth Disease,” (1999) <http.europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/sc/scah/health>.
Hetherington, P., “Counting the cost of a crisis,” The Guardian (28 May 2001) (London, 2001a).
Hetherington, P., “New fears on Foot and Mouth cases,” The Guardian (2 June 2001) (London, 2001b).
Mackenzie, D., “Foot and Mouth: special report,” New Scientist (31 March 2001), 16-17.
Meikle, J., and P. Brown, “MAFF knew of BSE risk before cattle burials,” The Guardian (London, 1 June 2001).
Midmore, P., “The 2001 Foot and Mouth Outbreak: economic arguments against an extended cull,” (2001)http:www.soilassociation.org.uk>.
North, R., “Burnt out,” The Ecologist 31(4), 20-22.
Office International des Epizooties, International Animal Health Code (1997) (www.oie.int).
O'Hagan, A., The end of British farming (Profile Books, London, 2001).
Soil Association, “Foot and Mouth Disease: vaccination or slaughter?” (2001) <http:www.soilassociation.org.uk>.
Sumption, K., “Foot-and-mouth disease in the UK: problems with the current control policy and the feasibility of alternatives,” (2001) <http:www.soilassociation.org.uk>.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mepham, B. Foot and mouth disease and british agriculture: ethics in a crisis. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 14, 339–347 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012298010842
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012298010842