Organic Agriculture

Organic Agriculture

Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre

Organic Farming

Rarely to be seen or heard ten years ago, no one can be ignorant of its existence now. Every supermarket is increasing its shelf space dedicated to organic produce. There is almost no food or drink commodity that cannot be obtained in organic form. The price is a little higher than ‘chemical’ food, but the quality, flavour and health of the food bears no comparison.

Organic agriculture farms in as sustainable and environmentally-friendly fashion as it can. It is still developing ‘new’ methods of keeping up production without damaging our environment. Organic farming is expanding in response to popular demand.

Organic livestock farming uses natural medicine, wherever possible, and maintains very high welfare standards for its animals.

Sources of information and details of producers and retailers can be obtained from:

Soil Association
Biodynamic Agriculture Association

The Soil Association cites 6 reasons for buying organic produce:

Organic food is produced without chemical pesticides, fungicides and herbicides and is full of natural flavour.
Organic farming has banned the use of all genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), including seeds, crops and animals. Even the food of organically-farmed animals is GMO-free.
Organic standards require farmers to care for the countryside. This includes maintaining hedgerows, streams and other natural features and planting trees.
Organic standards prioritise animal welfare. Livestock are given no routine antibiotics or growth-promoting drugs.
Organic farms are good for wildlife. Surveys show that more birds and butterflies are found on organic farms.
Organic farms generally employ more people, thus helping to safeguard the rural fabric.

To this impressive list, the AVMC would add that buying chemically-produced food funds the degradation of our environment, the reduction of biodiversity and the march of global commercialism. Such food may seem cheaper but the hidden cost is inestimable.