Organic Questions Answered
What does organic mean?
Organic farmers aim to produce good food from a balanced living soil. Strict European wide farming and processing regulations, known as standards, define what they can and cannot do, placing strong emphasis on protecting the environment. Organic farmers use crop rotations to improve the fertility of their soil. They cannot grow GM crops and can only use as a last resort seven of the hundreds of pesticides available to farmers. Trees, hedges and wider unfarmed field edges are encouraged providing habitats for natural predators such as beetles, spiders and birds to control pests. The Soil Association developed the country’s first organic standards over thirty years ago and its distinctive symbol is trusted by consumers as a mark of the highest organic standards in the UK.
Why is organic food more expensive?
The price of organic food reflects the true cost of organic production and the special care for the environment and animal welfare involved in organic farming. It is more expensive to rotate crops, to provide extra space and better conditions for animals and to buy high quality organically produced feed. The higher cost paid therefore represents a fair price to organic farmers and growers who produce food to these standards.
Why should I try to buy locally produced food?
Many people buy locally produced organic food because they want their money to go direct to the local organic farmers and growers. As well as the social and economic benefits to the communities, food grown locally is likely to be fresher and travels a shorter distance to reach use, cutting down on fuel pollution.
What about organic farm animals - how well are they looked after?
Under organic standards, all aspects of animal welfare are tightly controlled, including rearing, shelter, feeding and transportation. There are lower stocking density rates so animals have more room and they are allowed to express their normal behaviour with proper access to the outdoors. Animal medicines must be used if they are ill, but cannot be use routinely in feed. Compassion in World Farming, a leading UK animal welfare organisation, recommends that its supporters buy organic food as “it has been produced to higher welfare standards”.
Is organic farming better for wildlife?
The Soil Association’s report, the Biodiversity Benefits of Organic Farming, concluded that the number of variety of bird, butterfly and wild plant species is greater on established organic farms. Indeed, the recently announced Organic Action Plan pledges additional support for organic farmers, showing that the government acknowledges that organic farming and food offer real benefits for the environment.
How do I know the food I am buying is really organic?
Food and drink can only legally be labelled as organic if the farms and food manufacturers producing it have been thoroughly inspected annually and licensed by an independent organic certification company. Soil Association Certification Ltd (SA Cert) is the largest UK organic certification company, licensing well over 70% of all organic food sold in the UK. Look for the Soil Association symbol on the labels. SA Cert also makes sure that imported produce carrying the Soil Association symbol is inspected by certification bodies applying equivalent standards and inspection procedures.
