Organic Farming

 

Organic agriculture is a safe, sustainable farming system, producing healthy crops and livestock without damage to the environment. It avoids the use of artificial chemical fertilisers and pesticides on the land and the use of genetically modified organisms is prohibited. It relies instead on developing a healthy fertile soil and growing a mixture of crops. In this way the farm remains biologically balanced, with a wide variety of beneficial insects and other wildlife to act as natural predators for crop pests and a soil full of micro-organisms and earthworms to maintain its vitality. Animals are reared without the routine use of the array of drugs, antibiotics and wormers, which form the foundation of most conventional livestock farming.

Organic farming, now defined under European Union law, bans chemical fertilisers and pesticides, and uses rotations, mixed cropping and builds up soil fertility using pea crops rather than artificial fertilisers. Animals raised organically, without systematic use of antibiotics, have a strong immune system resistant to diseases and rarely need medicine. Organic yields are usually between 25% and 30% lower than in conventional farming, but the risk of disease is much lower.

Organic farming practices are better for the environment than practices used on conventional farms. A recent study of organic and conventional farms concluded that the organic farms held higher densities of birds than conventional farms, especially in winter. Breeding densities of skylarks were also strikingly higher on organic farms. Organic farming has clearly defined standards for the environment and conservation set down by the Soil Association and others.

Organic farms cover over 1.5% of the UK farmed area. In Sweden they cover 10% and in Italy 5%. The UK imports 70% of the organic food consumed and the demand is growing by 40% a year. In 1998 the Government spent £3,000 million on subsidies to farmers but only 3% of this was for agri-environmental schemes. Just 8% of the latter was allocated to help organic farmers (£6.2 million). More Government money was provided in 1999 through the Organic Farming Scheme, but this scheme was closed in August 1999 after the entire funding for 1999 and 2000 was used up in 4 months. In October a further £10 million was allocated but this was not expected to last for longer than 6 months.

The Soil Association commissioned a MORI survey in June 1999. One third of the public buy organic food perceiving it as:

• Healthy/better for you 53%
• Tasting better 43%
• GM free 30%
• Better for the Environment 28%
• Higher animal welfare 24%

The clear advantage of organic farming in nearly all agricultural policy areas, the current level of demand and the current policy opportunities mean organic production should now be taken up as a mainstream policy option for UK agriculture.

Further information:

  Soil Association