A Case Study

Consider the following hypothetical situation. A farmer in the UK decides to increase the yield of his wheat by giving a high dosage of nitrogen fertilizers. This, in turn, leads to a greater multiplication of pests which attach this crop. The wheat is more vulnerable to disease as it is genetically uniform. This is the consequence of artificial breeding to wild strain. If he tried to grow a wild strain the yields would be much poorer, but it would be less subject to disease. He decides to spray the crop with pesticides in order to keep the yields high. The market pressure to produce cheap wheat is high since there are other competing sources from Canada and the USA. The public demands for cheaper food keeps the prices down with a low profit margin. Unfortunately, the high level of nitrates originating from the fertilizer runs into the river water nearby and means that it is no longer acceptable for human consumption. Also pesticides have killed a large number of fish so that local fisherman go out of business.                                  Dean-Drummond A Handbook of Theology & Ecology

? How is one to balance the business interests of the farmer against damage to the environment?

? Who have morally relevant interests: the farmer, the fishermen, the consumers, future generations, non-human animals, the earth itself?