Organic farms produce food using what farmers believe to be environmentally friendly ‘healthy soil'.
What are organic foods?
Organic foods are produced by organic farming, which processes foods to strict animal welfare and environmental standards. Organic farms produce food using what farmers believe to be environmentally friendly ‘healthy soil'. They are also banned from using GM (genetically modified) technology.
Where did it all start?
In 1946 the Soil Association was set up by a group of individuals who were concerned about the move towards chemical-based, intensive farming following the Second World War.
They were especially concerned about soil erosion, the nutritional quality of food, exploitation of animals and the general impact of an intensive farming system on the countryside and wildlife.
The Association drew up a set of standards for organic growing and in 1973, following demands from consumers and farmers, introduced certification to prove that food had been grown to Soil Association standards.
Why is the soil important?
It all comes down to the soil!
Soil has many functions which affects the quality of the food we eat. Use of pesticides and fertilizers is thought to reduce the number of the microorganisms living in the soil. Organisms like worms, bugs, bacteria and fungi keep the soil fertile and provide pores that allow air to get into the soil, helping with water retention and drainage. These bugs also release minerals into the soil, making it fertile for plant growth. The minerals are taken up by plants, so those grown in organically farmed fields may contain more nutrients, and animals that graze on these fields are likely to be healthier and therefore more nutritious to eat. Some organic farmers also plant clover alongside grass to increase soil fertility. Because of the environmental friendliness of this type of farming, there is often a much greater diversity of birds, butterflies and plants surrounding the farms.
Organic Farmers
Organic farmers aim to produce healthy food by looking after the soil and the environment. They rotate what they grow each year to prevent soil erosion and make sure that a variety of materials naturally go back into the soil.
Animals are reared without the routine use of drugs and antibiotics common in intensive livestock farming. Instead of using drugs, animals are moved to fields to graze, which helps prevent them from being affected by parasites.
Organic farmers are not allowed to use artificial chemical fertilisers and the use of pesticides is severely restricted - they are allowed to use only seven out of hundreds of pesticides.
How do I know if a product is organic?
For a product to be labelled as organic, it has to meet a strict set of standards by law.
rganic products must display a certification number or symbol which means the product complies by the minimum government standards, as set by UKROFS (UK Register of Organic Food Standards).
Each certifier within the UK is given a UK code. The number awarded has nothing to do with stringency of standards. Legally, a company does not need to show a certification symbol on pack but if the product has been produced and/or processed in the UK they must show the UK code.
Symbol Code Certifying Body
UK1 UKROFS
UK2 Organic Farmers and Growers (OF&G)
UK3 Scottish Organic Producers Association (SOPA)
UK4 Organic Food Federation (OFF)
UK5 Soil Association Certification (SA Cert)
UK6 Demeter / Bio-Dynamic Agriculture Association (BDAA)
UK7 Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA)
UK9 Organic Trust Ltd
UK10 CMi Certification
As yet unnumbered because although there are recognised private standards (as allowed by EC regulations) fish products are not yet covered by EC rules. Food Certification (Scotland) Ltd
For more information on organic foods and produce visit: http://www.soilassociation.org.