Variation in stakeholder opinion on countermeasures across Europe

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Agricultural Science
• Risk Management

Background:

• A compendium of agricultural countermeasures and rural waste disposal options was developed under the EC STRATEGY project.
• Stakeholder feedback was gathered through the FARMING network across multiple European countries in 2002.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize preliminary stakeholder feedback on the acceptability of various agricultural and waste disposal options.
• To identify factors influencing stakeholder opinions on contaminated land management.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of a compendium of agricultural countermeasures and rural waste disposal options.
• Discussion of the compendium with national stakeholder panels in the UK, Finland, Belgium, Greece, and France.
• Summarization of feedback on option acceptability (generally acceptable, unacceptable, or acceptable under specific circumstances).

Main Results:

• Significant divergence of opinion among national panels regarding the acceptability of many options.
• Divergence attributed to differences in geomorphology, climate, land management, infrastructure, consumer confidence, sociopolitical context, and culture.
• Consensus achieved for countermeasures offering public reassurance, sustaining farming, and minimizing environmental impact.

Conclusions:

• National context significantly influences stakeholder acceptance of agricultural and waste management strategies.
• While preventing contaminated food entry into the food chain is agreed upon, specific management options face challenges in stakeholder acceptance.