Research Ethics & Consent

Research published in DAFS must meet recognised ethical and safety standards appropriate to the agricultural and food sciences. The requirements below apply according to the nature of the study, and authors must include a statement addressing each relevant item, or explain why it does not apply.

Human participants

Research involving people — including farmer and household surveys, sensory and consumer panels, and dietary or on-farm studies — must comply with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and with all applicable national and institutional requirements. Authors must obtain approval from a research ethics committee or institutional review board where required, report the approving body and reference number, and obtain informed consent to participate and, where individuals are identifiable, to publish. Sensory and consumer studies must address food safety and the disclosure of allergens.

Animal research

Research involving animals must comply with relevant welfare legislation and institutional approval, which must be stated, and should be reported in line with the ARRIVE guidelines. Authors should describe the species, husbandry, procedures and measures taken to reduce, refine and replace animal use.

Field, soil and plant research

For field trials and the collection of plant, soil or biological material, authors must confirm that they held any necessary permits, land-access approvals and permissions, that agrochemicals were used in accordance with regulations, and that phytosanitary, conservation and protected-species requirements were met. Studies with potential environmental impact should describe the safeguards adopted.

Genetic resources and biosafety

Authors must confirm compliance with access-and-benefit-sharing requirements for genetic resources (for example the Nagoya Protocol) and the lawful acquisition and transfer of germplasm and biological materials. Work involving genetically modified organisms, plant or animal pathogens, or other biological hazards must hold the necessary biosafety approvals and follow appropriate containment and safe-handling procedures, which should be stated; any genetically modified materials should be disclosed.

Biosecurity and dual use

Authors must consider whether their findings could be misused to harm agriculture, food systems, animal or plant health or the environment, and, where relevant, describe the risk-management measures taken. The journal may seek additional review where a manuscript raises biosecurity or dual-use concerns.

Confidentiality and declarations

Personal and identifiable data must be protected and handled in line with data-protection law (see the Privacy Policy). Each manuscript must include an Ethics, Consent and Safety statement covering the relevant approvals and consents, and the journal may request supporting documentation and may decline or retract work that does not meet these standards.