"Sustainable agriculture is a form of food production which builds soil fertility, protects biodiversity and provides people with wholesome, healthy food for all time." (Jonathon Porritt, patron of the Soil Association)

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, relying 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 is a term defined by law and all organic food production and processing is governed by a strict set of rules. The Soil Association* Symbol is awarded to organic products which have been inspected and conform to their "Standards for Organic Food and Farming"

There are many important beneficial effects of organic farming. It is totally different to conventional agriculture. Four key areas of difference are:

The Soil Association insists on stringent animal welfare standards in its "Standards for Organic Food and Farming". The rules are constantly under review by a group of experienced organic farmers, vets, and scientists to ensure that all farm animals are reared in optimal conditions on organic farms.

Animals have access to fields and are allowed to express their natural behaviour patterns. Animals always have comfortable bedding, usually straw, and plenty of space when they are oused.

Organic livestock farmers can manage their animals without the routine use of antibiotics and other drugs because they run a healthy, balanced system; not keeping too many animals on a given area, keeping a mixture of species wherever possible and using natural, organic feedstuffs. Grazing animals like cows and sheep are fed mainly on herb and clover rich grass.

Homeopathy and herbal remedies are used widely in organic livestock management. In a case of acute illness, where the animal might otherwise suffer, a conventional drug treatment would be used.

The best reason for buying organic food is simply that it tastes extremely good, but undoubtedly there are sound health reasons for doing so too. It has been shown in some studies to have more vitamins and trace elements than conventionally grown food and, of course, it will not have been treated with noxious chemicals.

There is a vast array of pesticides used in conventional agriculture, many of which are extremely toxic to humans, causing cancers as well as other illnesses. So-called acceptable levels are calculated for each of these chemicals and their risks to human health evaluated. However, surveys consistently show much higher residues occurring in a proportion of food samples than government regulations allow. There is also little knowledge of the long term effects of these compounds or of the cocktail effect [the way in which their toxicity may be increased by mixing them together].

Intensive agricultural methods also cause high levels of pesticides and nitrates to filter through into drinking water via the water courses. Not only does this present a serious health risk but the cost of reducing the levels in the water has to be met by the tax payer.

 If you want to be sure that you are not eating foods containing any genetically modified[GMO] material, you have to choose organic food.

In organic systems, genetically modified soya, maize and other products are banned for use in animal feed as well as in human food products.

 "The Soil Association believes that genetically modified organisms have no place in organic food or farming and they are therefore prohibited under the Standards for Organic Food and Farming" [Soil Association policy statement on genetically modified organisms]

Organic beef comes from the safest possible form of farming. The Soil Association banned the inclusion of animal proteins in ruminant feeds in 1983, long before the emergence of the BSE crisis. There has not been a recorded case of BSE in any herd which has been in full organic management since before 1985.

Environment

 " Wildlife is not a luxury for the organic farmer, but an essential part of the farming system." [Soil Association handbook, 1991]

 Extensive research has shown that organic farming can be better for the environment than conventional agriculture. Surveys by, among others, the Ministry of Agriculture and the British Trust for Ornithology, have shown the beneficial effects of organic farming on wildlife. It's not difficult to see why; the pesticides used in intensive agriculture kill many soil organisms, insects and other, larger species. They also kill plants considered to be weeds. That means fewer food sources available for other animals, birds and beneficial insects and it also destroys many of their habitats.  

In contrast, organic farming provides a much wider range of habitats; more hedges, wider field margins, herb and clover rich grassland and a mixed range of crops. Conservation is an integral part of the Soil Association's standards.

 The avoidance of artificial chemicals means organic farmers minimise health and pollution problems. They also reduce the use of non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels which are used to produce fertilisers and other agrochemicals. 

How do I know it's organic?

 The Soil Association Symbol is your guarantee of genuine organic food. 

To carry the symbol all products must conform to the "Standards for Organic Food and Farming" and each producer, processor or retailer displaying the Symbol will have been inspected and registered on an annual basis.

 Organic is a legal definition and all products must be certified by a government approved body, registered with the United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards [UKROFS].

 The Soil Association Symbol Scheme is the largest of its kind in the UK and accounts for 70 per cent of all certified organic products. It is the most commonly found organic symbol in the UK. There are a number of other registered symbol schemes:

 The European Union requires that all organically grown products from countries outside the Community must have been certified to standards equivalent to those in Europe.

Organic food is available through a wide range of outlets. Direct marketing schemes include farm shops, farm gate sales, market stalls and box schemes.

 Box schemes

Box schemes have taken off in a spectacular fashion in the last three years. There are a number of different models but all are based around the central principle of delivering a box of fresh, seasonal organic food for each subscribing household, either directly to the door or to a central drop off point.

 Box schemes may be operated by an individual grower or they may be operated by a wholesaler or organic company which buys in the produce.

Many box schemes have been established by small specialist organic growers. One of the great joys of these schemes is the links the growers can forge with their customers; as a consumer you can have a direct connection with an organic farm and know exactly where your vegetables, eggs or meat have come from. Farmers and growers benefit from a regular income and the confidence of a secure base to their business. Many box scheme operators welcome the involvement with their customers and will hold open days and produce newsletters to keep people in touch with developments on the farm.

 Some schemes go further than this and have developed systems where people in the neighbourhood support the farm more directly, sharing the financial risks and sometimes working on the farm in return for a regular supply of food. This is known as community supported agriculture and is a radical vision of the way consumers can support farmers and be involved on the land and in their own food production without being farmers or growers themselves.

There are a few small producers who feel, because they know their customers and they have a small turnover, they have no need to be registered as organic since there is sufficient trust between producer and consumer. While the Soil Association accepts there are some schemes where this works well, in general we advocate that producers should be certified and, provided they are growing crops on more than half a hectare of land, they may be able to obtain a grant under the government's Organic Aid Scheme to help with the cost of certification.

 Farm shops, farm gate sales and market stalls

For those within easy reach, all these offer the opportunity to buy fresh organic food directly from the producer. Some farm shops will buy in produce to supplement what they grow themselves. Again, many farm shops will keep regular customers in touch through newsletters and open days to help build up a loyal following.

There are an increasing number of independent retailers selling organic products, not only fresh food, but also a wide range of dairy products, bakery goods and other processed foods and drinks. The last few years have also seen the development of dedicated organic shops, selling a full range of exclusively organic products.

Most of the major supermarket chains have responded to consumer demand and now stock some organic food. The attitude of each company to selling organic food is very different, some are adopting positive policies to develop their organic range, others take a more cautious approach and some have little or no interest. As a result the experience of shopping organic in a UK supermarket can vary between being confronted with a gratifying range and variety of products and total frustration, even in different branches of the same retailer! We asked each supermarket to state their policy on organic food.

At the moment Asda stocks only a small range of organic dairy products. They claim demand is poor but would welcome more feedback from their customers and would be happy to reconsider their policy if there was sufficient interest in organic food.

 Co-op

The Co-op has a general policy of including organic food in its shops, but range is quite restricted and fresh produce is not currently stocked in all stores.

M&S are usually at the forefront of quality food initiatives, however, after an early foray into the organic food sector, they took the decision to pull out. They say they are now reviewing their position.

 Safeway

Safeway were the supermarket pioneers in the organic food market, first introducing organic fruit and vegetables in 1981. They are committed to offering a range of staple foods, including fruit, vegetables, dairy products, processed foods and beverages.

 Sainsburys

Sainsburys have been stocking organic foods since 1985. They are committed to providing their customers with a choice of organic food. They are working in partnership with organic producers to extend the range of organic fruit and vegetables grown by UK farmers and to achieve a consistency and continuity of supply. They are also seeking to extend the range and number of stores stocking organic meat and dairy products.

 Somerfield

Somerfield has taken the view that organic food does not provide their company with any commercial opportunity. They do not stock organic food, with a few exceptions.

 Tesco

Tesco are keen to make organic food more widely available in their stores and are currently promoting it in 145 stores. They have recently stated their commitment to supporting commercial growers who want to convert toorganic production, and to increasing their range of organic suppliers.

 Waitrose

Waitrose have a positive policy to develop sales of organic food in all areas, based on their perception of the customer demand and also the availability of different products. They carry a range of fresh produce in all stores and have recently introduced organic meat to a few stores.

 Note: If your experience is different from the positions described above do contact the customer service manager or write and complain!

 The Soil Association has been at the centre of the campaign for safe, healthy food, an unpolluted countryside and a sustainable, organic farming policy in Britain and worldwide since it was formed fifty years ago. Key among its campaigns are:

Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy to include organic farming as a major part of its agri-environmental programme

By choosing organic food, you are not only benefiting from some of the best and most nutritious food you can buy, you are supporting the farmers and growers who produce food from a system which protects the environment and demonstrates real concern for animal welfare.

 The large agrochemical companies will soon be in a position to dictate the future of the food industry. And they know just how they want our food to be produced - in ways which will maximise their own profits. That means using the gene technology which they have patented and can control, despite the risk of irreversible global consequences for the rest of us.

 Combining genetic material from plants and animals which could never breed naturally will:

 Jeopardise the safety and quality of our food - Genes can act differently when moved from one species to another, creating new and unknown dangers.

 Endanger wildlife - Modern farming methods, based on chemicals, have already caused widespread losses of farmland birds. The government conservation body, English Nature, has warned that using genetically modified crops could increase these losses considerably.

 Threaten our environment - Once a genetically modified plant is released into the open no-one can predict the way it will behave in an uncontrolled environment. There isn't even a legal requirement to check and see what happens.

 Deny food choice - Some of the companies concerned are refusing to segregate crops which contain modified genes from those which don't. This makes it impossible to have a proper labelling scheme, which would allow people to make up their own minds about whether or not they should eat the products of gene technology.

With vast sums of money staked on researching and developing a whole range of new genetic modifications, the official view of the way ahead for our food is clear. It will be genetically modified whether we like it or not.

Become Informed - We don't need to be scientists, but we do need to know how we feel about the issues involved and have enough information so that we won't be fobbed off by the usual responses that are given. Huge sums of money are being spent in a PR exercise to convince us all that this technology is both safe and desirable.

Talk to people - Once people understand what is going on most are horrified and want to know what they can do.

Boycott Products that contain Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) - Ask your local shops, restaurants, schools and hospitals to do the same.

 Raise Awareness in the Media - If you write letters, you are often given more space than the journalists writing about the issues!

 Find out if you have a local test site - call 0181 374 9516.

 Organise Local Talks and Debates

 Contact Government Depts/local MP - convince them to ask questions in Parliament.

 Speak to Farmers in your area - Ask them if they will pledge not to grow genetically engineered crops.

 An unprecedented 200,000 letters written to the USDA in complaint forced them to abort their plans to modify the organic standards.

In Austria, citizens have come together and stopped the biotech industry in its tracks.

In Switzerland, citizens have forced their government to call a referendum. 

In the UK, campaign groups are beginning to form all over the country.

A new report, Inadequacies in the Regulation of Farm Antibiotics, published by the Soil Association today exposes major failings in the control of antibiotics used on farms.

The report explains how collective irresponsibility on the part of government and regulators has allowed a major increase in drug-resistant bacteria in farm animals, which now poses a serious health threat to the human population.

Report author, Richard Young stated, "No one should underestimate how serious the situation is. We are on the brink of being unable to treat a range of life-threatening diseases. Unless we introduce stringent new controls on the routine use of antibiotics in livestock production we could suddenly find ourselves with a public health crisis of major proportions".

The report identifies that antibiotics are fed on a daily basis to virtually all chickens and turkeys, most pigs and even given to cattle and sheep. Scientific evidence shows that antibiotic resistance is developing in routinely medicated farm animals and passing to the human population. Government abolished a key committee of microbiologists after it asked to review the safety of licensed growth promoters. Regulators have consistently turned a blind eye to the issue of antibiotic resistance. Government failed to implement important recommendations from the only advisory committee to consider this problem in detail. Advice has been ignored that antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a more serious threat than antibiotic residues.

L3.7m is spent annually controlling residues, but no funds have been allocated to control antibiotic resistance.

A conflict of interest exists between commercial considerations and public safety for regulators working at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), an executive arm of the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food. An unhealthy closeness has developed between the VMD and the pharmaceutical industry, especially since the VMD became an executive agency responsible for its own funding.

Evaluation of veterinary medicines is based solely on industry data, which can be incomplete or misrepresented. Co-ordination is poor between the ten different government departments, agencies and independent organisations responsible for regulating farm antibiotics.

Commenting on the report, Soil Association Director, Patrick Holden said,

"For many years government ministers have been pleased to claim that the regulation of veterinary medicines in the UK is an example to the rest of Europe. While this was undoubtedly once true, today's reality is that pharmaceutical companies are now likely to see Britain as a soft option for licensing veterinary drugs."

The report also points out that Britain was the only EU Member State to oppose last year's ban on the growth-promoting antibiotic Avoparcin, and is now resisting moves to ban other similar products.

Release of the report, submitted as evidence to a House of Lords Select Committee investigating Resistance to Anti-microbiological Agents, is part of the Soil Association's ongoing commitment to promoting more responsible use of veterinary medicines, and coincides with the publication of the committee's findings.

The select committee's brief focused on the problem of drug resistance in hospitals, but the Soil Association has argued that this problem cannot be resolved without also addressing the misuse of antibiotics in livestock production.

The Soil Association recommends:

an immediate ban on all growth promoting antibiotics and imported food produced with them. A radically new approach to the use of veterinary drugs with phased reductions in the prophylactic use of antibiotics for disease control in tandem with government action to ensure they are used as an aid, not an alternative, to best practice,

Responsibility for evaluating the safety of veterinary medicines to be transferred from MAFF to the Food Standards Agency.

One government department to take overall control for co-ordinating action to monitor, research and control the spread of antibiotic resistance in both people and animals.