social factors that affect agriculture

• cultural factors

  • horsemeat is not popular in the UK but is widely eaten in other European countries
• religious factors

  • people with religious convictions may avoid certain foods
  • Jews and Muslims do not eat pork while Hindus do not eat beef
• ethical issues

  • a desire to reduce the environmental or social impact of food production can influence food choices
  • local food/food miles: buying food that was produced nearby reduces the energy involved in transport and the pollution that would have caused
  • seasonal food: choosing food that is grown when the local weather is suitable has a lower environmental impact than eating out-of-season food that needs heating, lighting or transporting from another area with a suitable climate
• ethical issues


  • free-range livestock: some consumers choose to buy eggs and meat from animals that are kept under conditions close to their natural conditions, especially having the freedom to move around and search for food. They often consider the conditions of intensive rearing to be cruel
  • organic food: some consumers choose to buy food that was produced using natural processes wherever possible rather than those using artificial processes for pest control and nutrient supply
• ethical issues

  • fairtrade food: fairtrade food is produced in a way that provides an income for producers which means that they can afford basic human rights such as water, education, health care and food