What does it mean?
What is organic farming?
Basically, organic farming is an agricultural system that seeks to provide the consumer with fresh, tasty and authentic food while respecting natural life-cycle systems.
Common organic farming practices include:
- crop rotation - an efficient use of on-site resources
- strict limits on the use of chemical / synthetic pesticide and fertiliser, livestock antibiotics, and food additives
- prohibition of the use of genetically modified organisms
- use of on-site resources, such as livestock manure for fertiliser or feed produced on the farm
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using plant and animal species that are resistant to disease and adapted to local conditions
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using free-range, open-air systems and providing organic feed
Organic farming is part of a larger supply chain which encompasses food processing, distribution, retailing and ultimately, the consumer. Each link in this supply chain is designed to play a role in delivering the benefits associated with organic food production such as environmental protection, animal welfare, community welfare, and consumer confidence.
Regulations
In the EU, these rules are laid down in:
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Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 which has been amended since then by:
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Council Regulation (EC) No 967/2008 of 29 September 2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products
For more information, you might like to visit: What is organic farming?