Organic Farming

Organic farming ('ecological' or 'biological' agriculture in continental Europe) is a clearly defined system of production which has food quality, human health, environmental, animal welfare and socio-economic aims - aims which derive more from a consumer perspective than from a producer perspective.

The result is that organic food has a very strong brand image in the eyes of consumers and thus can command higher prices for retailers and farmers than conventionally produced food.

The detailed husbandry standards of organic farming are primarily based on the principles of enhancement and exploitation of the natural biological cycles in soil (e.g N fixation, nutrient cycling in the soil), in crops (e.g. manipulation of competitive ability of crops and populations of natural predators of crop pests) and in livestock (e.g. rumen digestion in ruminants, development of natural immunity in young animals, interruption of host/pathogen relationships).

In addition, there is strong emphasis on optimising animal welfare, avoidance of pollution and improvement of the environmental infrastructure of the farm.

The aim is to work with natural processes rather than seek to dominate them, as is often the case in intensive systems, and to minimise the use of non-renewable natural resources such as the fossil fuel used for manufacture of fertilisers and pesticides (IFOAM, 2002).

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) has elaborated the following principles (not necessarily listed here in order of importance)

• To produce food of high quality in sufficient quantity. 
• To interact in a constructive and life-enhancing way with natural systems and cycles. 
• To consider the wider social and ecological impact of the organic production and processing system. 
• To encourage and enhance biological cycles within the farming system, involving micro-organisms, soil flora and fauna, plants and animals. 
• To develop a valuable and sustainable aquatic ecosystem. 
• To maintain and increase long term fertility of soils. 
• To maintain the genetic diversity of the production system and its surroundings, including the protection of plant and wildlife habitats. 
• To promote the healthy use and proper care of water, water resources and all life therein. 
• To use, as far as possible, renewable resources in locally organised production systems. 
• To create a harmonious balance between crop production and animal husbandry. 
• To give all livestock conditions of life with due consideration for the basic aspects of their innate behaviour. 
• To minimise all forms of pollution. 
• To process organic products using renewable resources. 
• To produce fully biodegradable organic products. 
• To produce textiles which are long-lasting and of good quality. 
• To allow everyone involved in organic production and processing a quality of life which meets their basic needs and allows an adequate return and satisfaction from their work, including a safe working environment. 
• To progress toward an entire production, processing and distribution chain which is both socially just and ecologically responsible.