Organic Food
What does 'organic' mean?
The word 'organic' describes the way that products are grown or processed. Put simply, organic systems aim to work with nature rather than against it.
Are any chemicals allowed in organic production?
Yes. In line with EU law, a very limited number of chemicals are allowed on a restricted basis. Our organic standards do not allow the use of artificial herbicides or fungicides. By comparison, in non-organic farming around 450 chemicals can be routinely used.
How do I know it's organic?
'Organic' is a term defined by law. Any item labelled as organic within the UK must meet the guidelines set down by the United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS).
I can't afford to buy all organic produce - what should I prioritise buying organic?
Government research shows apples, pears and bread can have high amounts of pesticide residues. Many pesticides are designed not to be washed off when it rains, so rinsing fresh fruit and vegetables under the tap won't get rid of them.
If you are concerned about animal welfare buying organic chicken is the way to go. Organic chickens are free-range and kept to very high standards. They are only given antibiotics when they are actually ill whereas non-organic chickens live in such appalling conditions they often need them just to stay alive.
Where is most of the organic food sold in the UK produced?
Around 55% of the organic food eaten in the UK is imported. This is because the demand for organic food far exceeds the available supply produced in the UK. Interestingly, much of the organic food that is grown in the UK is produced for local markets by farmers and smallholders.
Why does organic produce usually cost more?
Crop rotations which leave some land unused periodically, higher animal welfare standards and labour-intensive weeding (because of the restricted use of chemical inputs) mean that organic food can cost more to produce. Because the organic market is growing it is starting to benefit from economies of scale, reducing some of its costs. However, non-organic food is not as cheap as it appears. Consumers are paying for non-organic food three times over:
- Over the counter.
- Via taxation which mainly subsidises non-organic farming.
- To remedy the damage that farming and food production have done to the environment and human health.
Copyright - www.soilassociation.org. |
